The Baggies were leaving themselves short in defence and Liverpool eventually took advantage when Kuyt manoeuvred himself to the edge ofthe box and drove in a low shot.
Towards the end of last season, when it looked likely that Benitez could be leavingLiverpool, he was strongly linked with Inter's rivals Juventus, before they appointed Luigi del Neri.
But the injury has flared up once again, leaving Bendtner uncertain about his fitness ahead ofthe Gunners' first match ofthe season, against Liverpool on 14 August.