Xabi Alonso insists table is not of concern yet - Liverpool FC latest

Alonso's goal at Stamford Bridge on October 26 which ended Chelsea's record 86-game unbeaten home record briefly put Liverpool into the ascendancy but a first defeat of the season back in London just six days later against Tottenham ensured Benitez's side were again on the same points total as Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.

However, with a third of the season complete, Alonso is more concerned with Liverpool's form than whether they occupy first place as they bid to land the club's first title in 19 years.

He said: "The pressure is always there, you're professional.

But we don't have to obsess about being top of the table, we have to obsess about each individual game."

Despite Liverpool's start being their best ever to a Premier League season, manager Rafael Benitez has declared that he feels there is still plenty of room for improvement from several of his players but Alonso believes his team-mates will have no problem upping their game as the campaign progresses.

He said: "We try to have control in all areas of the game - that is something we're working on - but other things are working quite well.

"As we improve as a team, each individual player will benefit from that improvement.

"I'm happy with the team and myself as well. As long as the team continues in this way and in this position I'm very happy.

"Overall the team is looking quite good in attack and defence. Of course we still think we can improve but we are keeping the ball well, and working well together."

With Benitez admitting that Fernando Torres is still several weeks short of full match fitness Liverpool's record signing had to start the match on the bench but his impressive cameo in the final 30 minutes helped created the visitors' second goal.

Liverpool have already shown that they can win without their most prolific marksman so far this season and Alonso believes that their players fit into the same team system no matter who the personnel are.

He said: "It's important however is playing that the team keeps the same identity and have the same ideas.

"We will have suspensions and injuries during the season and we've seen whoever is playing in certain positions can do a job - that's a key to our success.

"We know Fernando's qualities. It's nothing new for us. His pace is very dangerous."