Benitez running out of time to find the right formula

THE natives are not exactly restless - but unless there is a visible upturn in performances it will not be long before Rafael Benitez’s honeymoon period at Anfield comes to an end.

Winning the Champions League in his first season was a bonus even the meticulous Spaniard could not have foreseen - but with his side having suffered their first Barclays Premiership defeat of the season against champions Chelsea at the weekend, the murmurings have begun.

Liverpool are already 17 points behind Jose Mourinho’s runaway leaders, and their league displays so far have left a lot to be desired.