Benitez - Win ugly

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says his side needs to learn to win ugly if they want to mount a serious challenge for the Premier League crown.

Benitez believes his players must be able to sneak matches in the same way rivals Chelsea do if they want to be in the title mix next spring.

The Reds left it late last Saturday against Sunderland when Fernando Torres scored eight minutes from time, and Benitez said taking three points from fixtures when you do not play well will be the key to a successful campaign.

Benitez said: "Too many times last season we drew matches when we needed a victory.

"We had two or three chances, didn't take them and paid for it, sometimes by conceding goals against the run of play.

"We have to change that if we are to close the gap on the top team. Sometimes you need to win when you play badly, because you can not play well every time."

Liverpool will be hoping for a more comfortable performance on Saturday when they host Middlesbrough in the first game at Anfield this year.

Boro have lost their first away fixture in the Premier League in each of the last five seasons, while Liverpool are bidding for a ninth successive home league win.

Benitez added: "Chelsea sometimes win like that and they are called lucky.

"But it has nothing to do with luck. It has to do with their mentality and the quality lineup they have."