 RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Liverpool's Community Shield victory will give them the confidence to challenge Chelsea's Premiership domination this season. Peter Crouch's 80th-minute winner gave the Anfield side the first silverware of the campaign with a 2-1 win over the Stamford Bridge outfit in Cardiff yesterday. John Arne Riise had given Liverpool a ninth-minute lead only for Andriy Shevchenko to equalise two minutes before the interval on his debut following his £30million transfer from AC Milan. But Liverpool emerged triumphant to secure a third successive cup triumph over Jose Mourinho's side. And Benitez was delighted at having won the fourth trophy of his two-year tenure at Anfield, following lifting the European Cup, European Super Cup and last season's FA Cup. "It's always important to win against the top sides," said the Anfield manager. "For us to win another trophy is good for confidence but we know it will be different in the season and in the other competitions, but if you start winning with a lot of new players the team can build confidence for the next games." He added: "I don't know if this victory is a statement of intent. I haven't watched the games of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea. You need to see one team ahead of another in the table to have a clear idea. "But we have said before that we have a better team and squad than last season. We try to improve." Liverpool were much-improved on their performance against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League in midweek, although Benitez contends his players are still short of full match fitness. "It was difficult for us today and it was the same for Chelsea," he said. "We are at the beginning of the season and the team is not 100% fit, and it was important today to see all the squad and the work-rate of the players was fantastic. "It was an important game for both of us but not the most important game. Now we need to play more league games and see if we are strong enough. "I was really pleased to see Crouch score and it is really important for him because scoring goals gives strikers more confidence. "Chelsea are also a better team than last season. They have more good players and they have kept the same idea, they are a very good team. Mourinho has experience so he knows what to do with his team." | 
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