Benitez cashes in as his great gamble pays off

HIS team-sheet was either that of a reckless gambler or a man utterly in control of his squad, plotting a tactical masterclass.

Rafael Benitez claimed he was neither, merely a pragmatist responding to factors beyond his control, but in doing so the Liverpool manager threw fresh focus on the Anfield club’s bizarre behaviour in the recent transfer window.

Despite Steven Gerrard being ruled out because of injury, Benitez insisted he simply had no choice but to keep his remaining creative talents — Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso and Dirk Kuyt — in reserve after an energy-sapping FA Cup replay against Everton in midweek and field a starting line-up that had scored just five goals between them this season.