The Spaniard was irritated to see claims that Liverpool would only win the Barclays Premier League if their main rivals "messed up" in the remainder of the campaign.

Liverpool bid to maintain their unbeaten home record this term against surprise package Hull tomorrow, and Benitez said: "We have a clear opportunity to win the title, and now we are top it depends on what we do. If we win, then nobody will overtake us.

"We have enough confidence, and if we keep winning the confidence will increase. And we will play better.

"I was surprised to read what I was supposed to have said. But really not surprised, because everyone in Liverpool knows about this, it was not true."

Liverpool will bring back their top stars against Phil Brown's side.

Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jose Reina and Dirk Kuyt were all rested for the midweek Champions League win in Eindhoven, and can all expect a recall against the Yorkshire club.

Benitez, who reports "no further news or progress about my contract" said: "Everybody criticises the team at the top. Beforehand it was Manchester United or Chelsea.

"But now it is Liverpool top, and it is our turn. That is why we are being criticised, because we are the leaders.

"Of course we can win the title, but - and this applies to any team who become champions - you must do everything almost perfect.

"You cannot make too many mistakes. But we are top, it would be stupid to say we couldn't win the title.

"If at the end of the Christmas programme we are still top of the table, we will have an 80% option to win the title."

Benitez added: "The main reason for our good season so far, is the quality of the players.

"We are playing well over a lot of games and the players' mentality is very strong.

"But we can do better, the last two home draws have shown that. But the team has a lot of confidence and we can score goals, especially away.

"We score a lot of goals, and if the strikers do not score then we have midfielders who can.

"The squad is much better than in the past, and that is the real reason.

"Compared to the previous seasons we have more confidence because we have more quality. When you win, when you lose very few, then the confidence grows.

"Our home form is better, so when we draw at home now it is not a disaster. That is because beforehand when we drew, the others were winning.

"Now when we draw at home, it is one more point and we can cope with that.

"We are top of the table and if we continue to win then we will stay top at Christmas and after Christmas.

"We dominated against Blackburn, and the same against PSV. The team has confidence and the squad has confidence.

"We have the experience, and that is growing in our players. I feel no pressure. If we stay in this same position until March, then there will be pressure.

"Now it is our aim to continue to do what we are doing, and to continue to win games.

"But we have great respect for Hull and what they have achieved. They score a lot of goals, they have a good attacking mentality.

"They have won at Arsenal and Spurs, so we know they are a good side. We have to be careful because they have shown they can win these type of games.

"Clearly the performances in the last two home games with Fulham and West Ham could have been better, we cannot deny that. But we are in a good position and if we win again we will maintain our position at the top."

ends