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Following one of the most difficult periods in his time as Liverpool manager in the wake of the F.A. Cup Third Round exit at the hands of Reading, Rafael Benitez accepted that the clubs current situation was unacceptable, addressing the press and the fans the day after the match with an apology which noted that matters on the field simply were not good enough. Having been publicly scrutinised for weeks by the British media, Benitez looked as though the pressure was beginning to get to him.

In the build up to the weekend’s game with StokeCity, Liverpool had to prepare without the injured contingent of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Youssi Benayoun. The absence of Torres and Gerrard in particular, re opened the debate that Liverpool were no simply a two man team and lacked any quality without the pairing. On the eve of the game at the Britannia stadium Dutch Forward Ryan Babel revealed on his twitter site that he had been left out of the weekend’s squad. The move by Babel to publicly announce a tactical decision broke club rules and continued the on going feud between player and manager. Furthermore the decision to leave out a player of Babel’s ability for a game of such importance, added to that the absence of Torres and Gerrard was a baffling decision by the Spaniard.

For those people who are calling for Benetiz reign to end, there are those who still remain supportive of the Spaniard, insistent that his record and the success he has brought to the club in his time at least warrants seeing out this season and a review of his position in the summer. A significant point to consider then is that twelve months ago before Liverpool’s last visit to Stoke, the Reds found themselves four points clear at the top of the league ahead of Chelsea and a further seven points in front of Manchester United. Added to that, they remained in both the Champions League and F.A. Cup. So to argue that for all his success Benetiz should be given more time, even in the last 12 months which he brought no success to the club, the situation was a lot more fruitful than current proceedings.

Benetiz began with an unusual line-up, deciding to leave Alberto Aquilani and new signing Maxi Rodriquez on the bench. Leading the line for Liverpool was youngster David Ngog as Benitez seemed cautious of the physical threat Stoke would posed and selected a side containing three centre halves and a midfield packed with Mascherano, Lucas and Dirk Kuyt. In response Tony Pulis side decided to leave Ricardo Fuller on the bench and prefer Tuncay in attack.

Understandably Liverpool began the game lacking confidence. When in possession they seemed to lack creativity, taking a much more cautious approach. At times the decision making in the early stages was very poor, most notably in Aurelio’s attempt to catch Sorenson out from 40 yards when a much simpler pass to Kuyt would have had the Dutchman in through on goal. The first chances of any significance fell to Stoke with Pepe Reina twice being called into action to deny Delap’s throw-ins which were causing havoc in the Reds penalty area. Liverpool were able to breath a sigh of relief as injury forced of Delap and Faye which momentarily disrupted the home sides momentum.

Liverpool had failed to muster a single effort on goal in the first half yet they should have been given a breakthrough in the second half when Lucas was clearly brought down, only for the referee to deem the Brazilian had dived. That said, Liverpool on the stroke of the hour mark, found the breakthrough against the run of play. With the referee moments before deeming Higginbotham to have not fouled Lucas in the penalty area, this time referee Lee Mason adjudged the defender to have caught Degen on the edge of the box. Replays showed that once again this was the incorrect decision. From the resulting foul Stoke keeper Thomas Sorenson failed to deal with the in swinging free kick and his inability to clear the situation led to the ball falling to the feet of Kygriakos who fumbled the ball over the line. It was a goal that Liverpool did not deserve yet with their recent fortune it was that break of luck they certainly needed.

In response, Tony Pulis elected to bring on Ricardo Fuller and his presence had an immediate impact on the play. Tuncay went close with a header and Fuller himself was denied by Reina. Stoke continued to apply the pressure as Liverpool brought on Maxi Rodriquez to make his debut.  The pressure from Stoke brought corner after corner with Liverpool defending for their lives. Eventually the pressure paid off.

Stoke were able to get another corner in the final minute and from the cross Higginbotham was able to head back across the goal for Robert Huth to find the back of the net. It was a goal that Stokes’s tenacity and spirit so richly deserved. Liverpool however almost stole the three points at the very end but Kuyt’s header was denied by the woodwork from close range.

A result of mix fortunes then as on reflection a draw was not a bad result despite Liverpool leading for so long and Kuyt should have taken his chance right at the death. But the simple fact is that these are games Liverpool should be winning and the inability to hold on with moments to go adds to the woes of the club.

Benitez now takes his team into a huge game at home on Wednesday evening to Tottenham Hotspur who Liverpool currently lay four points behind. Defeat would almost certainly put to bed any remaining glimmer of hope the reds hold to playing Champions League football next season. Benitez insists he will not be drawn into panic buys, yet much cannot be said for the majority of purchase he has made in his time. In reality the only signing he has made which has had the required impact has been Fernando Torres, the exact quality of player Liverpool Football Club should demand nothing less than.

On reflection of his time as manager the purchases that have been made simply do not add up. The likes of Lucas, Insua, Degen, Ngog, Dossena and Kygriakos simply are not the same quality of player as the likes of Xabi Alonso, John Arne Riise, Steve Finnan, Michael Owen and Sami Hyppia. Benitez certainly cannot state he has not had the funds to strengthen his side. One bad signing after another and the loss of so many key players has taken its toll. Benitez has often been refferred to as the 'tinker man' for his continuing changing of his starting line ups game after game. Long gone are the days where Liverpool could simply rely on Steven Gerrard, a player himself who has an indifferent period of form this season.

The clock is running down on Rafa’s spell as Liverpool manager. The target once again is to ensure Champions league football and if possible win the Europa League, the only trophy Liverpool have a realistic chance of winning. At the end of the season whether Benitez makes it to then or remains beyond that time, big change is to be made at the club. What would be more damaging to the club is the possibility of losing Gerrard and Torres, something which if current on field problems ensues is an immense possibility. The future of the club is bigger than one person, whether that is player or manager. Reports suggest that the stumbling block on the Spaniards future is his monstrous contract worth a reported £22 million over the next four years. At this moment in time the next four months under Benitez seem like a dark period for Liverpool let alone the possibility of another four years under his management.

For now it seems Benitez will see out the season but performances in the league and success in Europe will dictate how long he clings on for dear life.