At least scoring remains no problem, although it required a questionable decision from referee Martin Atkinson to send Liverpool on their way by adjudging George Boateng to have upended a breaking Mascherano outside the area.

Xabi Alonso’s initial free-kick struck the wall to cheers from the home crowd, but they were silenced when the Spaniard thrashed the rebound from 25 yards past Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

It was harsh on Hull, the home side scurrying all over the pitch to harass Liverpool out of possession. But for all such admirable endeavour, the Tigers rarely threatened in the danger zone, a Torres shot turned over by Myhill the only serious save either keeper had to make before the opener.

Liverpool improved after the break. Arbeloa steadied, Lucas grew in influence while Alonso wrestled control of midfield. Once again, though, referee Atkinson intervened in their favour, although there could be no complaints in the 58th minute when Caleb Folan was dismissed for an unwise swing at a falling Martin Skrtel as the pair tussled for the ball.

Five minutes later, Skrtel’s miss-hit shot was guided into the goal by Kuyt’s head, but Hull ensured a tense finish when substitutes Bernard Mendy and Daniel Cousin combined to provide Geovanni a worryingly easy tap in.

Torres hit the bar from a Kuyt cross before the Dutchman ended the home resistance in the 89th minute by turning in after Myhill could only palm out Arbeloa’s cross-shot.

Kuyt has now followed Steven Gerrard – his drive notably absent on Saturday – and Torres in reaching double figures in the Premier League this season, and any doubters must surely have been won over by the workaholic Dutchman.

So too Yossi Benayoun, Liverpool’s most lively midfield threat going forward on Saturday and who in the past few months has underlined his value to the team. Something for your consideration.

If Liverpool win their final four games against Newcastle United, West Ham United, West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham, they will finish the season on 86 points.

Only once before in the history of the top flight has a team earned more points and not won the league, United’s 88 points not enough to overhaul Blackburn Rovers in 1995 during a 42-game campaign. Even if Liverpool produce a perfect finish, it would take some collapse from United for the title to make its way back to Anfield for the first time since 1990.

But while the game could soon be over in terms of this season, Benitez’s men must surely be stronger for the experience.