The skipper would make his runs forward into the danger area to support Torres and he would have confidence that the ball would find him.

That wasn’t happening against Spurs. And if you make those runs and the ball doesn’t arrive after a while you stop making them.

That leaves Gerrard having to go deeper to get the ball, and most of the good work he did on Sunday seemed to be when he was surging from those areas – but that just gives the opposition time to set themselves. It’s not when Gerrard is at his most dangerous.

He needs to be fed about 20 or 25 yards from goal, that’s where he’s a real danger and when we see him destroy teams. And the closer he is to Fernando Torres, the better.

So under the current system I can already hear the team talks and tactics being discussed in opposition dressing rooms. Let Lucas and Javier Mascherano have the ball and mark everybody else.

That midfield pair can’t deliver the same kind of killer pass that Alonso could so teams will be happy for them to be in possession if they can’t hurt them.

I was also concerned by the bench. Once again I find myself asking, if we take Gerrard and Torres out, who have we got to win us a game? Who have we got to bring on and make a difference when things aren’t going well?

I’m sure Alberto Aquilani will add to the attacking options once he is fit, but then you need him to settle and get used to the pace and style of the Premier League.

That will take time and it’s time LIverpool might not have if they don’t do any more business before the end of the month.

Although Benitez considered himself unlucky with a couple of late penalty shouts at Spurs, I don’t think anyone could argue that the home side deserved the points.

Robbie Keane could have had a couple in the first half and the fact that Pepe Reina was LIverpool’s best player tells its own story.

So in terms of being genuine title contenders again, I’m sorry but at the moment I don’t think what Liverpool have got is going to be anywhere near enough.