Time for Liverpool FC to build on Man Utd victory by going all out for more

I reckon a losing run of five games for the first time in 56 years was already chiselled in to a few laptops.

So the result gave some people a reality check.

But now it's time for Liverpool to get one because there are still some niggling doubts about the current side that are undeniable.

First of all, without Fernando Torres, there's a real problem.

If Steven Gerrard is out you can just about get away with it but not a world class superstar leading the forward line.

Despite his goal, David Ngog is not ready to take on that kind of role yet.

Also, the squad is still too fragile. You're talking about getting back into a title race here, and whether Liverpool can live with United and Chelsea over the course of a full season rather than 90 minutes is open to question.

However, issues like that can always be resolved in January. What Benitez needs to do now is figure out how he is going to make sure all Sunday's good work doesn't go to waste.

First of all, he needs to take note of the table. Liverpool have lost twice as many Premier League games as they did throughout the whole of last season and yet they are still well placed to be in contention for the title again.

And it's because they have finally forgotten how to draw games. The 4-4 against Arsenal is the only time they have taken just a single point from a game in 22 and those six wins in 10 games have really taken the edge off the disappointment of falling to four defeats at such an early stage.

It proves the value of going out to win - and, more importantly, not being afraid to lose.

It was one of my bugbears last week after the Sunderland game, that fielding too many defensive players sent out the message that Liverpool were happy to hang on to what they had, rather then being willing to take the game to the opposition.

But that's exactly what I want to see them do now.

And to do it, the best players need to be played in their best positions.

Yossi Benayoun is the one player who I see as vital to the creativity of the team and I think his best work is done when he's on the right side.

He can go past men on the flank and he can drift inside to add more to the attack.

He can produce moments that change games.

If he is on the right and Gerrard is tucked in behind Torres, I think that could spell bad news for Dirk Kuyt.

The Dutchman will always get praise for how hard he works - but working had is the least you expect from any footballer. I think Benitez needs more than that from his forward line and it's time to get tough.

I would also like to see Alberto Aquilani given his chance soon. If he is the player Benitez thought he was when he forked out for him then he needs show that faith and give him a go as soon as possible.

Because for me, starting with Fulham away this Saturday, it's time to build on the confidence and win games to put some daylight between Liverpool and the teams trying to threaten that top four monopoly.

Benitez probably left for Sunday's game questioning himself and wondering what direction the team was going in if they slumped to yet another defeat.

But now he doesn't have to be afraid of losing.

He doesn't have to be cautious or defensive.

He has everyone back onside now and this is the time to go for it and get some more victories on the board.