One wag in the crowd suggested that it was at Gerrard's behest, so the captain could guarantee himself a central berth, and few would argue that he should stay there after this performance. The loss of Xabi Alonso, however, might be a more serious matter.
With Sissoko out until the new year, hip and leg injuries suggested that the Spaniard will not be fit again quickly. Mark González is sidelined for at least a fortnight with a torn hamstring; Jermaine Pennant was the only one of the injured trio to walk away without the help of crutches last night.
With Liverpool 16 points adrift of Manchester United at the head of the Barclays Premiership, the Liverpool manager may struggle to field a recognisable midfield against Manchester City on Saturday. “It was a very difficult game to manage,” he said.
“The first thing is I'm really pleased with the victory. But it is difficult when you lose two midfielders in the first half. Having lost Momo, we had to use Bolo [Boudewijn Zenden] in the centre and two offensive wingers. Our aim was to win the group and now we can go into our next game without the pressure of needing a result.”
As Liverpool continue to prosper in Europe, Gerrard, without a domestic goal this season, scored for the second successive home match in the Champions League. The captain ran on to Dirk Kuyt's fine pass on the turn midway through the second half to score with a first-time shot from just inside the penalty area.
Kuyt also set up Peter Crouch moments before full time as he headed Luis García's centre back across goal for the England forward to nod his fourth European goal of the season over the line.
“It was important to see Steven score that goal,” Benítez said. “He's a very good player and while he knows he can play better, the team are happy to see him running forward and scoring goals.”
Gerrard agreed. “I'm enjoying being back in the centre of the park. It's a position I like to play, but it's up to the manager to decide,” he said. “I'm a bit disappointed we didn't keep the ball better in the second half, but the plus is we've topped the group, although that doesn't automatically mean you get a weaker team. Being at home in the second game is definitely an advantage, though.”
Benítez had added to the prospect of a free-flowing match, selecting two orthodox wingers in Pennant and González as he made only a single change from the team that drew 0-0 away to Middlesbrough on Saturday.
Benítez had talked up González before the match, lauding his mental toughness as his summer signing adapts to his new environment, so it was unfortunate that the Chile winger did not last the half. Having scored a winning goal within minutes of his Liverpool debut in August, in the Champions League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa, González has not warmed to his new surroundings as readily as the Kop might have hoped.
Liverpool might be awash with attacking options, but in centre midfield they lack cover. Anfield held a collective breath when Alonso went down after a challenge from Csaba Féher in the fifteenth minute. Although he eschewed the offer of a stretcher, the Spain player hobbled on for a further six minutes before giving way, Zenden coming on against his former club.
With Pennant twice going down in pain even before he went off and Zenden sliding recklessly into Edison Méndez at the start of the second half, it was as if Liverpool's entire midfield resources were in danger of being injured.
The second half was a bitty affair. When Carlos Salcido let fly from 40 yards, José Manuel Reina was momentarily as surprised as the crowd, but he woke up in time to tip the ball over the bar.
That served to remind Liverpool that there was still a game to be won, a cue clearly heard by Gerrard.
