RAFAEL BENITEZ was perplexed that his side were denied an early goal against Stoke on Saturday – but accepts they must improve to avoid similar slip-ups in the future.

City managed to do what champions Manchester United couldn’t a week earlier, keeping a clean sheet and avoiding defeat to Liverpool as they held out for a 0-0 draw.

Benitez saw his forwards endure a particularly frustrating afternoon, missing some good chances but generally struggling to find a way past a stubborn and congested Stoke rearguard which featured former Liverpool man Salif Diao in a defensive midfield role.

And the Spaniard said: “I think everyone has his own idea and you have to accept the situation and try to be better.

“It was impossible to create clear chances with all the players inside the box, but at least we had chances and we were there.

“If Torres, Gerrard, Keane or Xabi had a bit more time or accuracy we could be talking about two or three goals.

“But in these games it’s not a question of Fernando, Keane.

“It’s difficult to have good chances with a lot of players around.

“So for a striker who’s close to the box it’s more difficult.”

Torres’s start to the season has been disrupted by a hamstring injury and he has scored only once in seven games this term.

“Physically he needs to improve but today it wasn’t a physical problem,” Benitez admitted.

“Every player, when they come back from a tournament one month later, will need more time.

“But today it was more difficult because he had less space.

“They were on top of him all the time so it’s difficult to have space for control. You’re under pressure all the time.

“We know we have to win these games and we need to get all three points. Hopefully it will be different in the next game like this.”