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Rafa's verdict on derby victory

29th Nov 2009 - Latest News
Author:
Steve Hunter

Rafael Benitez hopes the 2-0 victory over Everton in the 212th Merseyside derby can be the catalyst to kick-start Liverpool's season.

Javier Mascherano's deflected shot and an opportunist finish from Dirk Kuyt handed the Reds a crucial three points as they returned to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League.
 
"This was a really important victory for us," Benitez told his post-match press conference.
 
"We won in Debrecen in midweek and we knew that we needed to keep winning. A derby is always a very difficult game and also very important, so to win today could be a boost for the rest of the season.
"We are higher in the table now and everybody is happy. We will see if we can now keep winning games.
 
"It was clearly a very difficult game. From the beginning they were playing a very direct game and also dangerous from set pieces. It was very difficult to control and stop them because they are big and good in the air, so I thought we showed character.
 
"We were trying to play counter-attack and sometimes our possession was good, and other times it wasn't so good. They were on top of us but we showed character, we won and scored two goals, and at the end of the game we had better control."
 
Benitez also reserved special praise for Pepe Reina, who pulled off a fantastic double-save with the score line delicately poised at 1-0.
 
"It was a great save from Pepe which was crucial for us," said the boss. "He showed that he is a top-class 'keeper and the saves were amazing.
 
"When we signed Pepe, we knew he was a good goalkeeper and he is still improving and learning here. Our goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero is doing a very good job with him. For me he is one of the best in the world and today he showed that again.
 
"I thought our defending as a team was very good and that is a positive thing for the future. Agger and Carra did a very good job and we had Mascherano and Lucas working so hard in the midfield helping the defence.
 
"Carra is the one who talks and can organise the team, and he showed great character again.
 
"Always it is important to win, and to win games in a row is key if you want to stay high up the table and be in the top four. At this moment we have to take one game at a time. We have done our job today and we have to enjoy it.
 
"We have a week now to prepare for our next game against Blackburn and hopefully we can get another victory."
 
The boss was also quizzed on the latest regarding Fernando Torres' recovery from his groin injury, and added: "We were testing Fernando on Saturday. He told me he still had a little bit of pain, but he is improving and he is progressing.
 
"We will test him again this week and hopefully we can push him a little bit."

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