Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claims it is too early in the season to be worrying about the longer-term effects of having claimed only four points from three Premiership games.
Coming just before the Reds' date with champions Chelsea today, and after a week of reported snuggling up to Jose Mourinho, some Liverpool fans might be wondering just what is on Benitez's agenda.
According to reports this week Benitez has been keen to end a recent spat with his Chelsea counterpart. But when push comes to shove, Benitez's reconciliatory efforts will become old news if Liverpool lose further ground against fellow heavyweights Chelsea.
Recent history suggests that these clubs are currently leading the way in English soccer, following Liverpool's European Champions League triumph last year and Chelsea's back-to-back league titles.
Manchester United and Arsenal would certainly have something to say about that, but there can be no doubts that this encounter will go some way to deciding which side has the most to play for domestically this campaign, even at such an early stage.
Liverpool have picked up just four points from their three matches so far, while Chelsea are already five points ahead of them, having played one game more.
Psychologically, that gap is important, although Benitez is trying to play down the consequences of a defeat which would really leave the Reds playing catch up.
"I'm surprised so many people are saying if we lose, the title will be impossible," he said.
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