Obviously many of today's column inches were taken up by post-match analysis of Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Manchester United, with most papers seeing the result as providing Benitez with a stay of execution. Particularly keen to examine the theme of execution was Steve Howard in the Sun.

"We were gathered together for a very public execution. A bit like the toothless crones of Paris who broke off from their knitting only when the guillotine blade came crashing down on the unfortunate aristocrat below it. Except this time no blood was spilled and there was no nasty thump in the basket.

Up in the directors' box, Tom Hicks and George Gillett stood side by side, expecting the worst and with a decision on Benitez's future looming nearer by the day. Then they looked over at the Kop and got their answer as, once again, a huge explosion of "You'll Never Walk Alone" rocked the ground. The capacity of the Kop may now be half the 26,000 of old. But the stalwarts who stand there walking on through the wind and rain make as much noise as ever.

And there was no escaping their continuing loyalty to their Spanish manager. And vice versa.
While Hicks joined in half-heartedly towards the end of the Liverpool anthem, Benitez sang along with his stormtroopers on the terraces. These are men who unashamedly let their hearts rule their heads."

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail's Martin Samuel was very much convinced that the Liverpool win was a 'papering over the cracks' job and that Benitez and fans alike should not be dwelling on the victory.

"The point would have been lost on those who left Anfield glorying in a third consecutive win over the great enemy but Liverpool are not moving forward. They are still as likely to find their way blocked by an inconsistent Tottenham Hotspur team as they are to humble the champions. They may be among the most feared opponents in Europe but they can be among the most docile here on the afternoons when inspiration deserts them.

It did not yesterday, and this was an impressive, bitterly fought victory at a stage in the season when Benitez and his players had everything to lose. And yet which Liverpool will pitch up at Fulham next Saturday — the one who got the better of Manchester United and were not flattered by a two-goal victory or the one who came within one game of equalling their worst form for over half a century leading up to this match? Maybe even Benitez does not know, which is why he paces the touchline, sweating the small stuff, rarely satisfied that his players have done enough to win."

Elsewhere, Patrick Barclay at the Times chose to focus on the ineptitude of United's performance and was one of plenty of journalists starting to question just how adversely the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo has effected Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

"Only Valencia sparkled, and he fitfully. On an occasion such as this, the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo is noticeable. Hard though the strikers worked, promisingly though they combined at times, there was a void behind them, an area that Javier Mascherano was only too plainly anxious to control.

It remains to be seen if the departure of Ronaldo will close the gap between United, who are seeking an unprecedented fourth English championship in succession, and a group of aspirants led by Chelsea. On Sunday week Ferguson takes his team to Stamford Bridge and that should give us a better idea, for Chelsea appear capable of staying on top, at least until they lose men to the African Cup of Nations in the new year."