FA Premiership / Liverpool v Chelsea: There is a serenity about Rafael Benitez that is different from Arsene Wenger's irony or Jose Mourinho's haughtiness.

Among the Premiership managers who won a trophy last season he seems the most patient and, in consequence, the most ready to admit faults in his team. The realism about Liverpool, though, does not sap his belief they can beat Chelsea tomorrow. "It is only a matter of time before Liverpool is at the same level as the other big clubs," he said.

As the 0-0 draw in the Champions League showed, there is no inferiority complex. The ease with which Liverpool rise to the challenge of these games is, if anything, a concern for Benitez. "When you play Chelsea or Manchester United," he said, "the players know these are really good teams and they want to do as well as possible. The problem is keeping at that level.

"If we beat Chelsea we will have the possibility of talking about winning the Premiership because we will have beaten the best," he said carefully.

There are hints, though, Liverpool are not yet ready to thrive over a season, especially given a lack of width. "To cross balls for Peter Crouch or Fernando Morientes you need wingers," he said. Benitez therefore waits for the transfer window to reopen.

Tomorrow, Anfield, 4.0. On TV: Sky Sports 1

Guardian Service