Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes the gap between the big four and the rest of the Barclays Premier League is narrowing.

Just eight points separate the top eight teams in what is shaping up to be the most competitive title race in years.

Fulham face Liverpool on Saturday and Hodgson will send his players out at Craven Cottage knowing they are capable of upsetting Rafael Benitez's side.

"The degree of difficulty in beating the so-called lesser teams is getting higher," he said.

"Sunderland, for example, are a tougher nut to crack this year than in previous years and maybe Tottenham away was an easier fixture for Liverpool a few years ago.

"I know we can't say the league is an even one where the last team is every bit as good as the first, but the standard at the bottom is getting higher and that's making it more difficult for the boys at the top.

"That makes it more exciting. I still think the ones we regard as the top clubs will stay that way because they have the 60-70,000 capacity stadiums and the expensive transfers.

"But maybe - just maybe - they are going to have to drop a few more points along the way."

Benitez will arrive at Craven Cottage with his position under scrutiny following Liverpool's woeful run of five defeats from six matches.

But Hodgson believes the Spaniard's job is safe.

"The pressure is from the outside and that's something we can do nothing about," he said.

"I'd be surprised and concerned if the pressure on Rafa was coming from the inside.

"If the owners or players were doubting if he is the right man to lead Liverpool then that would surprise and disappoint me.

"But that's not happening, instead the pressure is coming from the outside.

"Guys like Rafa Benitez, Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have faced pressure for years and accept it as part of the job.

"Every manager has to accept there will be a period when things don't go right for your team."

Fulham hope to have an update on the fitness of Andy Johnson on Monday after the former England striker had a nerve in his groin cauterised yesterday.