Rafael Benitez was cool, calm and collected on Friday as he prepared for the showdown with English Premier League title rivals Chelsea.
The Liverpool boss admits that January has been a 'terrible' month, but insists he feels under no extra pressure as his side have drawn seven of its last 11 Premier League games and allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to leapfrog them in the title race.
Benitez went to great lengths to explain the contentious decisions to substitute Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard late in the disappointing 1-1 draw at Wigan.
And although not wanting to go on the record, it was explained that his 'crazy' remark after the JJB stadium game was a reference to the refereeing standards in the last three league games against more physical sides Stoke, Everton and Wigan.
Far from 'losing the plot' Benitez was all smiles and full of humour.
"We are eight points better off at this stage than last season," he said.
"We are very positive and if we can beat Chelsea everybody will be talking in a different way about us.
"We are in our best position for the last 10-15 years. So we have to enjoy it and try to keep doing our best.
"There is no extra pressure on me. I can guarantee that I have not read a newspaper, listened to radio or watched TV since the Wigan game.
But he accepts that Liverpool must beat Chelsea.
