Ferguson - Don't write off Liverpool

Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to dismiss Liverpool as title contenders even though their 2-0 defeat to Manchester United leaves the Anfield men 11 points adrift in the Barclays Premiership race.

Paul Scholes marked his 500th Red Devils appearance by putting his side in front eight minutes before the break and Rio Ferdinand lashed home a brilliant second after half-time to seal a deserved victory. The result meant United returned to the Premiership summit, above Chelsea on goal difference, leaving Liverpool trailing in their wake.

Rafael Benitez's outfit have now lost four out of five away games this term and any hope of a title challenge already appears forlorn but Ferguson is not willing to write his old rivals off just yet, saying: "I would not dismiss Liverpool. They have a good run-in and there will be a freshness about them in the second half of the season because of the way Rafa has been ringing the changes."