Three and easy for Benayoun in Liverpool romp

LIVERPOOL // The accusation has been made so many times that it has gained such credence their own keeper implied it, but Liverpool are not a two-man team. Jose Reina had referred to the reliance on Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, but that was before Yossi Benayoun inspired the defeat of Burnley. It could make for an interesting discussion next time goalkeeper and goalscorer convene, but it was certainly a reminder of the Israeli's prowess.

Playing with the industry and invention he displayed consistently in the final three months of last season, Benayoun managed a hat-trick and supplied the second goal for Dirk Kuyt. Operating in a more advanced role - Gerrard had dropped deeper to compensate for the absence of Javier Mascherano - he demonstrated that the captain is not the only option as Torres' foil. Less dominant than Gerrard but more elusive, Benayoun demonstrated that he, too, can profit playing "between the lines," to borrow one of Rafa Benitez's favourite phrases.

It was evident for each of his goals. When he fashioned the breakthrough, he met a pass from the overlapping Glen Johnson to embark on a jinking solo run that took him away from two defenders before he placed a shot past Brian Jensen. The right-back's involvement supported Reina's theory that Benitez sees him as Liverpool's answer to Daniel Alves. The diminutive Israeli then came close with a diving header - Jensen reacting well to stop that and Torres' rebound - but he did enable Liverpool to double their lead. His shot drew an unconvincing save from Jensen and Kuyt arrived at speed to sweep in the rebound.

The third was a product of the profitable alliance of captain and star striker. Combining with Torres in time-honoured fashion, Gerrard burst into the box, escaping from Graham Alexander. Rather than shoot, however, he spotted Benayoun advancing to the six-yard line and rolled the ball into his team-mate's path to provide him with the simplest of finishes. Benayoun had already been denied a hat-trick once, when ruled offside, but he sprung Burnley's offside trap to meet Andriy Voronin's pass and sidefoot past Jensen.

So his hunger, coupled with Kuyt's energy and Johnson's drive, meant this was a victory that owed much to more than just the two usual suspects. Nevertheless, Gerrard almost capped an outstanding individual display with a goal, a marauding solo run being followed by a shot that struck the outside of the post. Jensen also thwarted him with two fine saves - redemption of sorts for his error for the second goal - though the goalkeeper's was a damage-limitation task.

However, this was an emphatic ending to a day that began inauspiciously for Liverpool. Criticism of them has become commonplace in recent weeks, but an acceptance from within the camp that all is not well represented a surprise. A depressing verdict was delivered by one of their own on their title credentials as Reina underlined the importance of the two marquee names. The goalkeeper had said that winning the Premier League was "not a realistic option" and admitted that, with the exceptions of Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool "haven't got the individuals; teams like Manchester United have a lot of players who can tip the balance. We have to hope they don't get injured; they're fundamental."

"There isn't frustration; there's resignation. The buying power of clubs is very different. You can't sign players if you don't have money, and if there's no money, that's it. It would be good if the owners made an effort economically." Liverpool's problems were almost exacerbated in the opening minute when neat passing brought Burnley an opportunity. Martin Paterson slid his shot just past the diving Reina and the post. The Spaniard did have to make a couple of saves, but his stint in the headlines ended with Benayoun very much in the spotlight.