WHAT a relief that somebody other than Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres stood up and became the match-winner for Liverpool against Burnley.

That’s just what Rafael Benitez’s side are going to need on a regular basis if they’re going to win the Premier League title this season.

Players other than the ‘big two’ are going to have to take on the mantle and next week it will have to be Dirk Kuyt for example.

Benayoun has been in superb form since the turn of the year and a lot of that goes down to the fact that he’s been playing on a more regular basis.

I sometimes think that Benitez has a tendency to take players out a game too early.

If you’re a professional footballer you just want to play and if you’re a midfielder especially you often find yourself chasing your fitness after a game out.

Benayoun’s performance was a great example to Ryan Babel of how you can play your way back into contention at Liverpool.

Rather than just complain about a lack of opportunities you should get your head down and let your football do your talking and that’s just what Benayoun has done.