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Brendan Rodgers has a simple message as he tries to lift his devastated players: “You’re still top of the league - enjoy it”.

Liverpool manager Rodgers has a week to repair the morale of his young squad, after the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea which has blown the title race wide open.

Manchester City are now firm favourites to become champions, because winning their remaining three games will probably hand them the Premier League on goal difference.

The Reds could be third by the time they next kick a ball in anger - next Monday at Crystal Palace - yet for now they remain in first place and Rodgers made clear, even before the showdown with Jose Mourinho's men, that his side should take pride in their position at the summit.

“It’s good to be involved in this and it’s the only way you gain experience. No matter where we finish, we will look to build on it, and press on from this position,” he insisted.

“We will embrace it. We still have work to do. We will go again and progress from here, but we are enjoying this position.

(Image: Action Images)

“We want to win, of course, and we are in a brilliant position. But we must enjoy it - this is brilliant, the supporters are loving it, we are showing the real scale of the club and what these players are about, and that is just as important.”

Rodgers closed the dressing room door on Sunday after the damaging defeat by Chelsea, and spoke to his players one by one, reminding them of what they have achieved so far.

Despite the result, the Reds do actually still have the title destiny in their own hands... provided they score enough goals against Palace and a faltering Newcastle at Anfield on the final day.

Overhauling an eight-goal deficit in just two matches is hugely unlikely, of course, so Liverpool are relying on neighbours Everton doing them a massive favour at the weekend.

poll loading Which side will win the Premier League? 3000+ VOTES SO FAR Liverpool Chelsea Manchester City

But Rodgers said: “I just reminded the players of the values of how we work.

“We have a way of working and I take pride in that. We might not have got the result (against Chelsea), but you have seen over the course of the season we have made great strides and we will continue to.

“At the start of the season, people saw it was a real challenge for us to be in the top four. So with two games to go to be in the top three, really, really challenging, it’s something that is really remarkable.

“But I’m not surprised, because of how we have worked and level the players have performed at. The games we won on our unbeaten run were exceptional, we were outstanding, and I have reminded them of that.”

How the title race stands

Played Won Drawn Lost Goals For Goals Against Goal difference Points Liverpool 36 25 5 6 96 46 +50 80 Chelsea 36 24 6 6 69 26 +43 78 Manchester City 35 24 5 6 93 35 +58 77

Rodgers has also reminded his players of their individual qualities.

He has spent the last two days building up Luis Suarez following his PFA Footballer of the Year award, and the manager also had words for Raheem Sterling.

The young England forward is a cover star of the new edition of Esquire magazine, and his manager reckons this season will be remembered - no matter what happens from now - for delivering a true talent onto the world stage.

“I said he was developing into one of the best young footballers in Europe, and I didn’t say that lightly,” explained Rodgers.

“This is one of the most competitive leagues in the world and he’s 19, scoring goals, assisting goals and showing maturity beyond his years.

“I really do believe at this time he is the most exciting young player in Europe. I just hope he will go on to prove that over a number of years.”