Of the Wolves game, Benitez adds: “If you analyse the team the other day, we know that we were good in defence but we were not good enough in attack. If you analyse the team you will understand why.

“The players who were playing in attack, some of them were coming back from injury, it was Maxi’s first game and we had some players on the bench and only Ryan Babel could be a different kind of player.

“We needed to do something more in attack but the players we had on the pitch were the right ones for this game. If Gerrard is fitter then I am sure he would play better and this will make a massive difference for us in attack.”

Despite the travails going forward, Liverpool have engendered a stronger team spirit in recent weeks.

Benitez accepts that perhaps the team has raised its game in the absence of Gerrard and Torres, but has urged his players not to lower that work-rate with the skipper back in action.

“There has been a change in atmosphere, the players are sticking together,” he says. “I think that sometimes it is true that when you lose two key players, who can make a difference, players realise that they have to work harder because that is the only way.

“But if you say to me what do I prefer? I say I prefer them working as hard as they can but with the key players on the pitch.”

Liverpool entertain Bolton Wanderers this afternoon, with the Trotters undergoing a gradual transformation in playing style following the recent arrival of Owen Coyle as manager.

Benitez came in for criticism after leaving Alberto Aquilani on the bench at Molineux, but is pondering a recall for the Italian as he strives for greater creativity.

“Against Wolves, I had to decide whether to play Steven or Aquilani,” says the Spaniard. “There were balls in the air, balls in the air, it was not a game in which you would play someone just with quality and expect him to make the difference. Like Stoke it was very difficult for him to be involved.

“We were in control in the first half and in the second half they were pushing and pushing and every challenge was ‘okay play on’, the pitch was terrible and if you put all these things together and the fact we were not doing well in attack.

“We were really disappointed and we will try to find solutions against Bolton.”

Another player competing for a starting role is Ryan Babel. The Dutchman has been the subject of constant rumours during this month’s transfer window – Birmingham City the most interested potential suitor – but Benitez believes the opportunity is still there for Babel to succeed at Anfield.

“If we play without the speculation surrounding Ryan then I am sure it will be easier for him to focus and for me to play him,” says the Liverpool manager. “So I think we will be better in attack and the team will be better.

“I think he will stay. I was talking with him and I told him that I know there are clubs asking about his future who want to buy him or take him on loan, but I think he is a good player and he has to show his quality on the pitch.

“He can do it, it’s just a question of starting again and maybe having more confidence. He would like to play but I said ‘it depends on you, we can work together and you will have more chances’.”