HARD-WORKING HERO: The much-maligned Dirk Kuyt celebrating after scoring Liverpool's opening goal against Inter Milan on Tuesday. -- PHOTO: AFP

Only they can lose to Barnsley and then beat Inter Milan within four days.

And, perhaps, only they can be fifth in the English Premier League and yet remain genuine contenders to emerge at the top of Europe's elite.

As Dirk Kuyt and Steven Gerrard ensured that the beleaguered Rafael Benitez lives to fight another day, Inter, like Barcelona, Juventus and Chelsea before them, could depart wondering why Liverpool cannot replicate their Champions League form in the Premier League.

It is an issue that should tax everyone at Anfield because beating Inter - albeit a side reduced to 10 men for an hour - shows what they, and their manager, can achieve.

Inter arrived at Anfield unbeaten in 29 games and five months. They are 11 points clear at the top of the Italian Serie A, while Liverpool lurk 19 points off the Premier League summit.

'The determination to prove people wrong was no different to any other game.' Rafael Benitez, Liverpool manager, who had been under fire after a run of bad results

So, contradictory as Liverpool are, there was a perverse inevitability about their victory.

It was their fourth consecutive Champions League game that, without exaggeration, could be branded a must-win, and they have been victorious in all. Benitez spends so much time at the last-chance saloon that he has his own tab, but further nights there beckon.

With, assuming they can prevent Inter scoring twice in 13 days' time, a quarter-final place theirs for the taking, there was evidence why decisions on Benitez's future are not simple.

'I accept that we needed this win as a team, we needed to progress in the competition,' said Benitez, the closest he came to accepting that he is under pressure personally.

'I know people will say they cannot understand how we can lose to Barnsley and then beat Inter Milan.

'But, on Saturday, we changed the team. We had 10 internationals on the pitch and missed a lot of chances.

'This time, we were better. We had far less chances but we scored two good goals.'

Landmarks - Liverpool's 100th European victory at Anfield and Gerrard's 50th goal on home soil - were far less significant than the result.

But the players' commitment should not mask Benitez's contribution to the victory. Just as he merits much of the blame for the Barnsley debacle, he deserved credit on Tuesday night.

Finding himself under greater scrutiny than ever before, this was a night when his decisions were justified. Both he and his team remained patient, and both were rewarded.

Managers' selections are at their most revealing when the stakes are highest.

The gambler in Benitez was apparent in his choice of the two youngsters, Lucas Leiva and Ryan Babel. The tactician in him preferred the counter-attacking 4-2-3-1 which, featuring two holding midfielders, is likely to be deployed at the San Siro.

But while Inter, after Marco Materazzi was dismissed, threatened to secure a stalemate, Liverpool held their nerve, and Benitez kept his.

The departure of Inter's tallest defender made Peter Crouch a more effective weapon, and the manager introduced him and switched to 4-4-2.

He did so, however, without removing Kuyt. Hard work features predominantly in Benitez's rhetoric and none are more industrious than the much-maligned Dutchman.

Kuyt ended up in an unaccustomed role on the left flank. But it was from there that he arrived in the penalty area to eventually break the deadlock after a cross from another substitute, Jermaine Pennant.

Gerrard's drilled second ensures a cushion for the away leg and some respite for the manager.

'He's been one of the biggest influences on my career, so I'm delighted for him,' said Jamie Carragher, words that the Kop, who chanted Benitez's name, echoed.

But there is a minority who made their views known. Graffiti was daubed on Liverpool's training ground at Melwood, calling for the Spaniard to be sacked and criticising the players. Perhaps the same fans will be trying to remove it now.

'Big clubs get a lot of criticism when things go wrong but Liverpool will always bounce back,' added Carragher.

They certainly did against Inter and Benitez lives to fight another day.

stsports@sph.com.sg