He said;" It was disappointing that we lost a goal from a set piece. Four of the last five goals against us have been from set pieces. We created too little offensively as well, but it's not that easy to play away to Chelsea."
Although the sides were level at half time, Liverpool were lacking in creativity and missing Steven Gerrard’s commanding influence in the centre of midfield. The defensive performance of Jamie Carragher however was a bright point in an otherwise dull first half, once again highlighting the defenders great ability, and further pushing his claim for an England start.
But a second half of turgid, uninspiring football from the Merseysiders was all too reminiscent of the Houllier days.
With only Cisse fronting the attack, few opportunities were created. The Frenchman sent a blistering shot yards wide after some good inter-play, but the 4-4-1-1 formation Benitez has employed has not had the great effect wished for.
The Chelsea goal came from a clever free-kick, with Joe Cole sweeping a side-footed volley past the trailing hand of Kirkland, who had no chance.
Few other chances were created in the match, further highlighting Chelsea's effective, if rather dull, approach so far this season.
Xabi Alonso sent three successive promising free-kicks into the crowd, and as he buried his head in his shirt as he planted a fourth into the Stamford Bridge faithful with seconds to go, many a Kopite across the land did the same.