Rafa Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is refusing to throw in the towel despite slipping 11 points behind Manchester United in the title race. The Reds have made a poor start to the campaign and Sunday's defeat at Old Trafford heaped more pressure on the Spaniard. Benitez has been criticised in some quarters for continually tinkering with his team, but the Spaniard has responded to the adverse coverage by defending his record as Liverpool boss and is vowing to continue the fight. "Bellamy was injured, Gerrard was coming back and then we had the goalkeeper, defenders and players in front of them - Sissoko, Xabi and Gerrard - were the same players who played last season when we had 33 clean sheets," he told Sky Sports News of Sunday's defeat to Manchester United. "If you change one player we can talk about the statistics, but for me the team in the last two or three games was with the same defenders. "It is not a problem of players, we are doing the same things and it is something people maybe don't remember that when we first arrived here it was the worst Liverpool team in 40 years after losing against Burnley. "Then we won the Champions League and were in the final of the Carling Cup. That wasn't bad. "Last season we had 33 clean sheets, we won the Super Cup, won the FA Cup and were in the final of the Intercontinental Cup, so that wasn't bad. "One year later we won the Community Shield. So in two years and three months we were in six finals and won four. I think that is not bad. "If you change the situation, if we finish fifth and win the Champions League I think the supporters will be very happy." Benitez feels The Reds are not far from their best form. "We need to keep doing the same," said Benitez. "We have a better team and a better squad but the other teams spend a lot of money and we need to improve. "It depends on the players and the other teams, but my idea is clear. I am positive and with the mentality in Liverpool we want to fight. I will continue fighting and will look to improve. "It is clear if we can start winning now and keep going. "I don't need to think about the title. We are 11 points behind and we are not stupid, we know it will be difficult."