A STRANGE few days in the complex and much scrutinised life of Rafael Benitez. From the splendour of Liverpool’s exhibition at the Bernabeu, to a political victory on the Friday, with the confirmation of chief executive Rick Parry’s impending departure, it says everything about the Spaniard’s capricious season that it should be followed by an afternoon of inspidness on Teesside.

Yet, such is the nature of the man, he continues to insist on the dropping of a handkerchief where his rival is concerned. Not throw in the towel and concede the title.

Seemingly always more content when the travelling is with his Eurostars rather than on domestic routes, Liverpool’s title challenge careered off the rails here as a consequence of Boro’s first league win since November 9.

The domestic dream for Benitez finally faded and died after 62 minutes and 48 seconds; the moment when the excellent Gary O’Neil prompted Jeremie Aliadiere to dart down the right flank and deliver a cut-back which the inspirational Tuncay swept majestically beyond Jose Reina to secure a second goal for Gareth Southgate’s men. There was no way back. Neither here, or in Benitez’s championship duel with Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Before the game, it was difficult,” Benitez said of Liverpool’s title ambitions. “After the game, it is very difficult. It depends on Manchester United.”

He added: “It has been a problem killing teams off. We had a lot of chances in Madrid, and again today. For me it was very clear that in the 30 minutes after the own goal we had five chances.

“If we want to win, we have to score. Then we can control the game and win.”

Victory yesterday, and at home to Sunderland on Tuesday would have had Liverpool back nudging United again, albeit having played two more games. But despite Benitez’s words, you always felt the force was with Boro, buoyed by Wednesday night’s FA Cup defeat of West Ham. “It was,” reflected Southgate, “a coming together of fans and players. The fans lifted the players when they needed a boost.”

For his part, Benitez is running out of excuses as swiftly as his team have capitulated in the title race following his “Fergie rant”, in an environment in which there is constant speculation about his failure to sign a new contract.

Last night, he would only say: “My advisers are in talks with the advisers of the owners. Maybe I will have conversations with them shortly.”

Waiting for Rafa. It’s been more tortuously theatrical than Waiting for Godot. Except that this character will eventually appear, presumably with pen in hand after a year-long saga.

Off the field, the way now appears clear for him to sign, following Parry’s resignation — an acceptance that the latter’s relationship with co-owner Tom Hicks was beyond repair. Benitez said beforehand that “There have been no winners or losers in this”. Some cynics would contend that there have been losers — on the pitch.

Benitez, serenaded by the visiting fans, was finally able to restore Steven Gerrard to his starting line-up. It was the captain’s 300th appearance for Liverpool. The trade-off was that Fernando Torres, who damaged an ankle against Real Madrid, was absent.

Benitez’s men, initially showing no-ill effects of the rigours of that triumph, appeared vibrant and capable of picking off the relegation-threatened hosts at will, as his men constantly split the home rearguard. But it was not to be.

Brad Jones denied Nabil El Zahr and then Dirk Kuyt. With Tuncay probing, Boro proved rather more livelier than their league position promised. Reina had already denied O’Neil when, just after the half hour, Downing’s innocuous corner struck Xabi Alonso, who diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper.

After the interval, Gerrard darted into the area and cut the ball back for El Zhar, but the striker’s finish was woeful. Boro needed no further bidding to place the game beyond the visitors, with Tuncay breaching the Liverpool rearguard.

He was also cautioned for stripping off his shirt. Benitez’s men retaliated, but to no avail. Somewhere, after preparing for today’s Carling Cup Final, Ferguson will have raised a glass to Southgate and his team.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Jones 7, Hoyte 6, Wheater 7, Huth 7, Pogatetz 6, O’Neil 8, Bates 6, Arca 6 (Walker 88min), Downing 7, Tuncay 7 (Johnson 79min), Aliadiere 7 (King 68min)

LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Carragher 6 (Benayoun 71), Hyypia 6, Skrtel 6, Aurelio 5, Alonso 6, Mascherano 6, El Zhar 5 (Ngog 68min), Gerrard 7 (Lucas 76min), Babel 6, Kuyt 6