Liverpool have lost nearly half their games this season and they’ve deserved each one of their defeats. They’re giving opponents too many chances. Their struggles can’t be put down to bad luck — they’re down to bad performances. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? I don’t see it, other than the magic Yossi Benayoun can produce on his day.

It was very quiet at Anfield on Tuesday. Lots of fans still back Rafael Benítez, but there was a lack of belief in the stands as well as on the pitch. There was no one on the bench capable of coming on and lifting the crowd. Liverpool fans are loyal to their managers and this is the man who won them the Champions League, after all. But there was an unspoken, depressing acknowledgement: this is the best we’ve got, and we all know it’s not good enough.

There will be a great atmosphere on Sunday — with Liverpool being underdogs, the fans will make an extra effort to rally round the team. But that may not be enough against stronger opponents. How long ago that 4-1 win at Old Trafford seems.

With injuries and inferior players, the only hope of victory is for Benítez to outwit Sir Alex Ferguson tactically. If he doesn’t and Liverpool lose, the pressure can only grow. One decision he cannot afford to blow is in defence. Emiliano Insúa played against Lyons as if he had a parachute on his back. He made Sidney Govou look like Thierry Henry circa 2005. Antonio Valencia’s pace will destroy Insúa if he plays on Sunday. Fábio Aurélio must come in at left back. That is such a no-brainer of a decision that questions about Benítez will have to be asked if he gets it wrong and Liverpool are exposed in defence.

However, the Spaniard has earned the right to turn the club around. He’s proved he is a very good manager and deserves the time — and money if Liverpool change owners — to make changes.

Benítez cuts a lonely figure at the moment, as if all the club’s woes are on his shoulders alone. There was a friendly pat on the back for Steven Gerrard as he came off on Tuesday. Usually distant from his squad, Benítez has been friendlier and more supportive lately. That change in approach shows his vulnerability — he’s a man in need of friends.

The loss of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid hurt, but Benítez has had enough time and money to mould a winning team. It’s down to him that, weirdly given Fernando Torres’s injury record, a quality back-up striker wasn’t signed.

Even with everyone fit, I can’t see Liverpool getting through the Champions League group stage or being consistent enough to mount any domestic challenge.