Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, has refused to write off Liverpool's Premier League title challenge.

Liverpool were booed off after a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic last weekend left them 12 points behind Arsenal, the league leaders, and outside of the Champions League places.

To make matters worse for Rafael Benitez, the under-pressure Liverpool manager, his side still face difficult away trips to Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea.

But Wenger knows from experience that Liverpool cannot be discounted with half the season remaining as Arsenal came from 13 points behind to win the title in the 1997-98 season.

"I wouldn't say it is completely [a three horse race]. I still feel Liverpool are in the race but they cannot have any blips anymore," he said.

"They are still a dangerous team. The disadvantage for them is that there are three teams in front of them [Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea] who might not drop many points. I still don't dismiss them at this stage. It happened to us in 1997-98 and we made the ground up."

Arsenal travel to Burnley this weekend for the third round of the FA Cup and Wenger expects to have Jens Lehmann involved.

The Germany goalkeeper has been linked with a move to Borussia Dortmund during the January transfer window after losing his place to Manuel Almunia.

"Jens at the moment is still with us," Wenger said. "I think he will be involved on Sunday at Burnley. As far as I am concerned he is an Arsenal player."