Rafael Benitez's men conceded a late equaliser against Wigan last night, their third draw in a row and a result which meant they missed the chance to move level on points with leaders Manchester United.

The Reds even slipped down to third, behind Chelsea on goal difference, after the Blues beat Middlesbrough 2-0, but it is United who are firmly in the box seat with a two-point lead and a game in hand.

"We are very disappointed and expect to win these games, and we have to start winning games soon - that needs to start on Sunday with a very important game against Chelsea," Benayoun, who opened the scoring against Wigan, told the club's official website.

"Every game is important. We have to take three points against Chelsea just like we should have won against Wigan.

"It's important to take each game as it comes and Chelsea is the next game at home, so we have to concentrate and do our best against them.

"I'm sure that we will turn things around and start winning games soon - that is something we have to do."

Chelsea found it tough to break down struggling Boro, and had striker Salomon Kalou to thank for a second-half brace.

And the Ivory Coast forward believes it is important the Londoners build on that result at Anfield.

He told the club's website: "Liverpool dropped points this week but the most important thing is to focus on ourselves because we know that we have the squad to win games and we have to focus on Sunday.

"We know it is not always easy to play at Liverpool but right now we have a lot of confidence.

"The last time we went there it was a great result for us (1-1 in the Champions League) and we have to be positive from that result and go there with it in our mind to win."

Both sides could find themselves five points off the pace by kick-off if Manchester United continue their winning run against Everton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The reigning champions hammered West Brom 5-0 last time out, setting a new record of 11 straight Premier League clean sheets in the process.

The Toffees, meanwhile, conceded an injury-time leveller against Arsenal, who will look to maintain their bid for a top-four finish against London rivals West Ham.

That draw all but ended the Gunners' faint title hopes, leaving them eight points off the pace.

On Sunday, Sunderland will hope to inflict more pain on their bitter north-east rivals Newcastle at St James' Park.

The Magpies lost Michael Owen and Joey Barton to injury in yesterday's loss at Manchester City which has further hampered their bid to move clear of the relegation zone.

Other games this weekend see Tottenham visit Bolton, Fulham host Portsmouth, Hull take on West Brom, Aston Villa welcome Wigan, Middlesbrough tackle Blackburn and Stoke play Manchester City.