Hyypia takes swipe at the Liverpool turmoil after draw with Boro

Liverpool have won just twice in 12 attempts at the Riverside and it needed a wonder strike from Fernando Torres to win the point which actually keeps them level on 39 with Everton, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

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Even finishing in the top four has suddenly become a problem. Liverpool are 12 points behind Manchester United, albeit with a game against West Ham in hand.

But it was their stalwart Sami Hyypia who gave the most damning assessment of the crisis engulfing Benitez, the club's American owners and the players who were supposed to be serious title contenders this season.

"We seem to be becoming like Newcastle," said Hyypia. "Every time we pick up a paper, there seems to be something new. But our job is to concentrate on the games.

"In the football world there are some things that happen very quickly and you can't do anything about them. The players hope that if there are arguments, they can be sorted out."

While Benitez fights for his future, Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate knows he will be allowed to see out the remaining three-and-a-half years of his contract, with chairman Steve Gibson funding this month's moves for Brazilian strike pair Afonso Alves and Fred to the tune of £16million. Yet on Saturday Southgate had to pick from a squad riddled with injuries, bans and sickness. Three players pulled out, three more were ill during the match and teenager Jonathan Grounds was promoted for a competent debut at left back.

Southgate had some sympathy for his Liverpool counterpart, but Benitez's match-saver cost three times the whole Boro side.

"The game is crackers at the moment," said Southgate. "It doesn't surprise me he's under pressure, but clearly his record is outstanding. When you talk about Liverpool their aims are different because of their history. We have players like David Wheater, who was on loan at Darlington last year; Grounds, who was on loan at Billingham Synthonia. And Rafa is telling me he has no money.

"Most chairmen now are successful businessmen in their own fields and they are going to demand results. I'm lucky I have a chairman who is very realistic on how quickly things can be achieved and turned around."

Boro captain George Boateng proved he has buried his differences with Southgate with an inspired performance and the opening goal.

The midfielder started the move, which then involved Stewart Downing, Jeremie Aliadiere and Gary O'Neil. Liverpool had three chances to clear, the ball bounced around the goal area before Boateng beat Hyypia to bundle it home.

Downing was back to his exciting best, beating players and crossing into the penalty area with regular precision. Boro deserved to win in front of their biggest crowd of the season, 33,035, and the England winger almost sneaked it with a low half volley which Pepe Reina touched on to his post. Two minutes later Torres equalised.

With Alves and Fred on their way, Downing might have someone to cross to soon — if Boro decide to ignore Tottenham's overtures for him. Southgate can only hope Downing was not playing his last game for the club.

"The reality is that we've had no bids for anyone," said Southgate. "In Stewart's case, we probably had stronger interest in the past but it's part and parcel of dealing with January.

"Stewy loves being here and is getting on with playing the best he can. That must be difficult when he picks up the paper on the morning of the game and believes what he is reading."

Without Torres and Steven Gerrard, who was relentlessly pursued by Boateng, Liverpool would be even further off the pace in the Barclays Premier League.

Dirk Kuyt acknowledged the pair need more support. The Holland striker said: "We can't keep relying on them. I'm struggling a bit at the moment, but I feel confident and things are coming back. Torres is having an unbelievable season, especially as he's coming from a foreign country and not speaking English very well. He's one of the best in Europe at the moment and frightening for defenders."