Dudek's faltering show sets dilemma for Benitez

The Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, is facing a goalkeeping dilemma going into the crucial festive programme.

Benitez was hoping Jerzy Dudek would have put pressure on the injured Chris Kirkland with a commanding performance against Portsmouth in the Premiership on Tuesday. Instead the Poland goalkeeper appeared to be at fault for Portsmouth's equaliser which came a minute into stoppage time of the 1-1 draw, as he palmed a cross from the substitute Matthew Taylor into the path of Lomana LuaLua, who headed home from close range.

It was Dudek's first league appearance since September. He was dropped after the narrow Champions' League defeat by Olympiakos in Greece. Whether he will keep his place on Sunday against Newcastle remains to be seen, as the extent of Kirkland's back problem has not been revealed.

However, both men are short of confidence and that must be a cause for concern for Benitez. "I think in the last minute they try to cross, and it was unlucky," the Spanish coach said. "The goalkeeper was waiting for a cross. It is very difficult for the goalkeeper."

Bad habits between the posts have caused a ripple effect throughout the team as Liverpool have become vulnerable at the back and failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine games. Benitez said: "That is a pity. We will try and get things right. What we are doing is creating a lot of opportunities. However, we need to turn those chances into goals."

The Spanish coach remains upbeat, even though his side trail leaders Chelsea by 15 points and remain reliant on their dynamic captain Steven Gerrard, who capped a superb display at Anfield with a thunderbolt 25-yard effort with 20 minutes to go.

Liverpool travel to Chelsea on New Year's Day, but before then face West Bromwich Albion and Southampton in addition to Newcastle.

Benitez said: "If you look at the table we have gained one point and closed the gap on the top four teams. I accept it is a bad situation losing two points at home but it is not the worst. The players are frustrated but we will return to training and focus on our next game and put this one behind us."

Benitez is intent on improving Liverpool's attacking muscle by deploying Harry Kewell and Antonio Nunez on the flanks. "Both of them are specialist wingers and they are giving us more offensive options," he said. "They are working well with our strikers and this will only improve as time passes."

Joe Jordan reiterated that he is keen to remain as Portsmouth coach when a new manager is taken on board. Jordan is delighted with the way the players have responded in difficult circumstances following the departure of Harry Redknapp - now with Southampton - his assistant Jim Smith and coach Kevin Bond.

However, the former Scotland striker will not be joining the queue to replace Redknapp, or to follow the former West Ham manager out of Fratton Park. "I do not want to be considered," he said. "I am quite happy coaching the players. That is what Harry Redknapp asked me to come and do. I don't know what the structure will be. Velimir [Zajec] has come in to be the director of football, which is part of the structure. What the other parts are we will find out.

"I am all right as I am at this time. I think myself and Velimir have calmed things down. I am involved a little bit more as there is only the two of us. I am enjoying the extra responsibility. I naturally want to be involved in the future at Portsmouth because I am enjoying it and being in the Premier League is a bonus."

The Portsmouth equaliser was testimony to the fighting spirit instilled by Zajec and Jordan, who said: "All credit to the players. They have gone out there and not been ruffled.

"They have focused on what has needed to be done. I am delighted, especially for the way we got the goal at the end. That kind of thing usually happens the other way round at Anfield, certainly in my day as a player."