Rafa salute to Liverpool fans sounds desperate

The opening question was innocuous enough, but Benitez brushed it aside to declare: "First of all, I want to say thank-you to our supporters because when we needed them, they were behind the team."

As a postscript to one of those stirring European nights that have become part of Anfield folklore, it might have been seen as entirely appropriate.

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But on this occasion the vanquished were scarcely one of the continent's most prized scalps — merely a workmanlike side who will do well to avoid an instant return to the Championship.

On reflection, perhaps Benitez could be forgiven such a transparent attempt to reinforce his popularity, since these are desperate times for him.

A run of four draws and a defeat in the Barclays Premier League left him uncomfortably close to a statistic that would have set alarm bells ringing on both sides of the Atlantic.

Anything less than victory against a willing but limited Sunderland and Liverpool would have made their worst start to a calendar year since 1954.

Such a calamity was duly averted, but only after a first half that had seasoned Anfield observers delving almost as far back to remember the last time Liverpool played so badly.

Craig Gordon may be Britain's most expensive keeper, but there was little to indicate why as he remained virtually untested prior to Peter Crouch marking his 300th appearance at club level with a 57th-minute breakthrough.

As if exasperated by the failings of others, Jamie Carragher added wing wizardry to his more renowned defensive qualities as he jinked past Daryl Murphy and delivered a pinpoint cross for Crouch to head past Gordon.

Fernando Torres and Crouch both brought the best out of the Scotland keeper before Liverpool finally made the game safe with Torres's 18th goal of the season and an 89th-minute Steven Gerrard penalty after Nyron Nosworthy tripped Jermaine Pennant.

With those around them faltering, there was even cause for optimism about the pursuit of a Champions League place, despite there being little evidence of it beforehand.

Crouch provided an insight into the edginess that seems to have taken root over the past month or so as he described a level of pre-match tension that should surely have been gripping Sunderland's dressing room, rather than Liverpool's.

He said: "To be honest, we all knew how important this was. We were geeing ourselves up before this game more than any other in the Premier League this season. We knew we just had to win.

"Nothing less would do after such a disappointing loss at West Ham and a few other results and performances that simply haven't been up to Liverpool's standards.

"Maybe that was why everyone saw a touch of nerves in the first half, but at least we settled down and played the football we are capable of after going ahead. We have let the fans down in recent weeks and, with that in mind, it was always going to be nervy.

"At least we got there in the end and, with Chelsea next up, the result was all-important.

"We can go there with some confidence now because we know we are good enough to beat them. We have done it before and can do it again."

The usual search for positives by a beaten manager threw up little for Roy Keane to cling on to. His side should have had a penalty when Carragher's raised arm blocked Murphy's 73rd-minute shot, but there was little to suggest it would have altered the outcome.

If there was any consolation for the Sunderland manager, it was the realisation that losing at Anfield is hardly likely to determine their fate at the end of the season.

"I don't think you can exactly disregard results against the so-called big four, but they won't make or break our campaign," he said.

"Wigan got a point here, admittedly, but what will take care of our season will be how we do against the teams around us, particularly at home.

"Anything from this game would have been a great bonus, but our next one against Wigan is far bigger because these are the ones we simply have to win."

Crouch had an extra spring in his step as he savoured the prospect of following a rare Liverpool start with a first England appearance under new coach Fabio Capello against Switzerland on Wednesday.

"It is a new manager and new era, and I am excited about it, as all the England lads are," Crouch said.

"We all know his track record is fantastic and we are looking forward to working with him."