Rafael Benitez has 11 days to steady the ship at Anfield before their next game. Is the injury crisis his biggest area of concern?

Yes, it will be. In his programme notes last night Benitez said that this was the worst injury crisis he had ever faced as manager and it is easy to see why.

Alberto Aquilani has had a long-term injury and there have been ongoing problems with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. There have been problems for Daniel Agger, Albert Riera and Fabio Aurelio while Glen Johnson has been in and out of the team with his setbacks.

Throughout the squad there have been niggling problems that have undermined everything the manager wanted to do with his side. Against Fulham, Liverpool had ten players missing. The injury problems don't seem to be going away. Just as one player comes back another limps out. Riera returned last night but could be out again with a hamstring injury. Yossi Benayoun, who has been Liverpool's most consistent player this season, has also damaged a hamstring.

The club now have to work out whether this is just bad luck or whether there is something else at work. If it had been bone injuries then you can put it down to bad luck but when you have that many muscle injuries you begin to wonder whether there is an underlying problem with the way the club are treating players.

What is the latest on Torres's injury problems?

Torres has been told that he does need a period of rest if he is to recover. He has begun a three-week period of recuperation, which would make him a doubt for the game against Manchester City on November 21. After last night's game Benitez refused to rule him out, suggesting Torres will be back when the Spaniard decides he is ready.

It is now a case of Torres listening to his body and waiting to see how he responds to treatment over the next few days. He could certainly could be out for three weeks but everything is being done to try and bring his return forward.

Will this period of rest ensure he avoids the need for an operation?

The problem with groin operations is that they cause scar tissue, which can lead to long-term problems. It is not about time because the recovery period after surgery could be shorter than this period of rest. Some surgeons can have players back in 12 days after such a procedure. The club are just being sensible and avoiding the quickest possible fix.

The return of Gerrard will have been welcomed?

You can't overstate the importance of his appearance against Birmingham City last night. He came on just before half-time, hit the post, scored a penalty and created two other really good chances. He is the one Liverpool player, above all others, who makes things happen. It will now be about building his fitness up and working on a programme to make sure he is fully fit when their league campaign starts again on Saturday week.