SOCCER ANGLESLIVERPOOL HAVE not won a Premier League game at Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United since Rafael Benitez became manager four years ago.

There's a boatload of statistics and nuggets of information at the beginning of any season but this seems as pertinent as any. The democratic impulse that should beat strongly within a truly vital league demands that 19 years on from their last title Liverpool FC, one of the most important sporting institutions in England, should be there next May 24th beating Tottenham at Anfield to clinch the Premier League trophy. But from the perspective of August 16th, that feels far off.

In acquiring Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid for €28 million last summer and Robbie Keane from Spurs for €24 million this, Benitez has spent monopoly money on his new forward line. But it must click immediately if Liverpool are to improve league form and break the monopolistic control of United and Chelsea.

Considering Liverpool's cash outlay under Benitez - and Gerard Houllier, Roy Evans and Graeme Souness before him - the effort to date is verging on unacceptable.

While Manchester United have gripped the Premier League trophy on 10 occasions since 1992's breakaway revolution, Liverpool have finished second only once.

Second once in 16 seasons - it is another remarkable statistic.

Last season there were those who deemed fourth place as some sort of progress. Yet that was a drop from third place the year before and Liverpool finished 11 points adrift of United. Moreover, they were cuffed 3-0 at Old Trafford on the day Javier Mascherano - all €23.6 million of him - lost his head.

Maybe it was the point earned at Arsenal and the goalless draw at Chelsea that encouraged observers; after all, these were the first two points Liverpool had won on their rivals' grounds under Benitez. Two from 36 over four seasons.

As a comparison, in the same period United have taken 16 points from their rivals' three grounds, Chelsea the same.

Arsenal have won only six points away, but then their latest title was in 2004 and Arsene Wenger's authority at his club is established. Benitez's is not.

Of course - of course, of course - there is Europe. In four seasons under Benitez Liverpool have been in the European Cup final twice, won it once and again reached the semi-final last season.

It would be awkward to sustain an argument that Benitez has been a failure, and the outpouring of loyalty last season when it was discovered his superiors had indeed been talking to Jürgen Klinsmann revealed local faith.

But there needs to be a leap in the league and even if the irksome Gareth Barry saga ends with him at Anfield, that is no guarantee Liverpool will make that change into serious title contenders.

Admittedly Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel were missing at the Olympics, but there was much not to like about Liverpool's play in Liege on Wednesday night. Too loose defensively, too many overhit and overly ambitious passes going forward. As a collective it was all too individual. Four years into Benitez's time, that should not be the case.

Those concerned about Robbie Keane should worry that having been talked up last month in make-the-difference terms, after Wednesday's peripheral display he could soon become blamed for the pace of change. Keane could do with an influential role at Sunderland this evening.

It is then Middlesbrough at home next Saturday - 10 flat-track points off those two last season - and if six start-up points are Benitez's the friction with his hierarchy, shown again yesterday in remarks about chief executive Rick Parry, will matter less.

Steven Gerrard's readiness for today is an obvious asset but it will be required because, after Sunderland and Boro, it is Villa away on the day the transfer window closes. Even without the Barry issue that would be a testy occasion given Villa's little surge of spending this week.

Unlike Manchester City, West Ham, Blackburn, Everton and Newcastle, Villa are a stable and prosperous member of the Premier League's middle class. Along with Tottenham, they may have enough to drag Liverpool down just when Anfield hopes are on the up.

With Felipe "Big Phil" Scolari entering the stage at Chelsea and little Jack Wilshere - get ready for him - being given the number-19 jersey at Arsenal despite being only 16; and with Cristiano Ronaldo (remember him?) due back at United in September, possibly in the company of Dimitar Berbatov, there will be no shortage of top-four flavour.

But it is from Liverpool that the strongest smell emanates. Unfortunately for them, it is the whiff of uncertainty.