I HAD an uneasy feeling of deja-vu watching Liverpool at Chelsea on Sunday – it was as if we’d gone back in time three or four years.

Like they were happy to turn up at 0-0 and hold on to what they had, without ever looking like trying to open the game up.

It was only when Liverpool went a goal down that I thought they started to look like they could create chances if they really put their minds to it – but it really was all too little too late.

I think it was one of those ‘glass half empty’ days for Rafael Benitez, almost as if he felt his side couldn’t afford to lose this game so he would be delighted with a 0-0 outcome.

Whereas I think he would have been better really going out to try to win it.

In fact, I was interested to hear his reaction after the game to being told that Liverpool have already lost more league games than they did in the whole of last season.

Benitez might be right in his belief that you can probably afford to lose a few more this season and still be in with a shout for the title, rather than drawing games.

But then why not put a bit more onus on going for the three points at Chelsea?

Another big problem for Benitez, however, is did he have any choice?

When he sets his team up he feels he has to play an extra defensive player to allow Steven Gerrard to go roaming forward.

But then where’s the supply line for him and Fernando Torres? For me, games like yesterday highlight the loss of Xabi Alonso, simply because neither Lucas nor Mascherano can play the quick, incisive, instant ball that Gerrard and Torres thrive on.

It’s a waste, because somebody of the brilliance of Torres should be taking the ball in space and destroying defences.

That’s why this time round Liverpool will have no trouble beating the likes of Hull and Stoke, who they struggled against last year.

But when Torres gets isolated in amongst world class defenders then it really is going to be a struggle against the top teams.