Rafa Benitez is well aware that Liverpool’s clash against Chelsea can go a long way in determining the Premier League champion.

The Reds make the trip to London to face off with the Blues as they look to prove their critics, who have already questioned their title credentials, wrong.

Losses to Tottenham and Aston Villa have already thrown the proverbial spanners into Benitez's blueprint for success and opened the club to criticism from its own fans in August.

However, Liverpool have since recovered and Rafa is adamant that there will be more twists in the season as he aims to dent Chelsea's title ambitions even further, after the Blues lost at Wigan last week.

Benitez told Sky Sports News: "It is always important when you play against the top sides because it can make a big difference.

"But you never know. It is important to do the right things and if you can win it is fantastic. If not, you have to keep going. It is an important game for both teams."

He added: "If we can win, it will be two defeats in a row for them. But my idea is always the same, it is a long race and there is still much to play."

Benitez lashed out at his players in midweek after a dismal defeat at Fiorentina in the UEFA Champions League and he expects the Reds to bounce back on Sunday.

But the Spaniard is also aware that Chelsea, who were on maximum points before their upset at Wigan, are looking to re-establish their dominance in the league.

He said: "Both teams will be desperate to win so we will hopefully see a good game. You always have to with the idea that you can win."

Benitez is ready to for another round of jousting against Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti after having two previous battles with the former AC Milan tactician in the UEFA Champions League finals.

Liverpool won in their memorable comeback in 2005, and Ancelotti got his revenge in 2007.

Benitez is therefore expecting another intriguing encounter with the Italian, saying: "It will be interesting because he is a great manager.

"We have played in the finals and, OK, it will be good to see him and hopefully we will see him again in another final.

"He knows how to manage a top side. He has experience at AC Milan where he did really well and here he is now doing a very good job with good players."

But Benitez has also revealed that he thinks Ancelotti has not had much of an impact on the Blues.

When asked if he had noticed any difference in Chelsea's approach this season, he said: "Not too much. He has changed the shape of the team a bit, but the style of football is similar."