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HAVING been kept waiting more than 18 years to witness championship number 19, Liverpool supporters have become well versed in the art of patience.

But Rafael Benitez’s side are clearly intent on pushing the resolve of their fans to the limit in attempting to end that lengthy title drought.

The jeers that greeted the successive goalless home draws against Fulham and West Ham United suggested some had been pushed beyond their acceptable boundaries. With points needlessly dropped and momentum lost, the frustration abounded.

And those supporters could be forgiven for fearing the same old story on Saturday at Ewood Park when, for almost 70 minutes, Liverpool looked anything but league leaders. Lethargic, laboured and lacking inspiration and conviction against a Blackburn Rovers side that were there for the taking, another damaging stalemate beckoned.

Not for the first time this season, a late flurry avoided the inevitable flak that would have been directed towards the Anfield outfit.

But while nobody expects sealing the Holy Grail of a first title since 1990 to be easy, Liverpool have seemingly acquired a sadistic urge to drag their fans through the emotional wringer.

Even after Xabi Alonso and Yossi Benayoun had ensured a two-goal advantage, there was still time for Roque Santa Cruz’s header to leave a packed away end chewing on their fingernails before Steven Gerrard put the outcome beyond doubt with practically the last kick of the match.

Picking up victories without playing particularly well is a pre-requisite of any title-winning side.

But, having rarely hit the heights this season, what if this is actually the best Liverpool can produce? Only time will tell.

Benitez, of course, chooses to dwell only on the positive aspects of his team’s current form and the fact is this continues to be the Anfield outfit’s best start to a Premier League campaign.

The concern from a demanding support desperate for Liverpool now to capitalise on their strongest championship challenge in recent years is that it should be better.

So too the fledgling Anfield career of Robbie Keane.