Anthony Le Tallec says the win over Juventus was the best moment of his career.
Liverpool's Anthony Le Tallec has described Tuesday's 2-1 win over Juventus as the best moment of his career.The French youngster was something of a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up for Rafa Benitez's side, and put in a sterling display after enduring a troubled season to date.
Le Tallec has been in the Anfield wilderness since the arrival of the former Valencia boss, and only returned to the club in January following a disappointing loan spell with Ligue 1 outfit St Etienne.
However the 20-year-old responded well to the challenge of facing the Italian giants, and revealed that Benitez offered him words of encouragement before the game.
"I expected a little to be a first team member, it was 50-50 between [Antonio] Nunez and me," Le Tallec told L'Equipe.
"Before the match Benitez told me: 'Where were you three months ago? Today it is up to you to play, football is just like that, it can change very quickly, perhaps it will be your last Champions League quarter final so make the most of it'.
"His instructions were to play just behind [Milan] Baros and control Emerson, I think I had a good match.
"I have never played at such a level, I am so happy, it is the best memory of my career.
"I have scored one goal in the Uefa Cup against Ljubljana, but this time it is something else."
Le Tallec has featured sparsely this season at both Liverpool and St Etienne and admitted that the pace of the European tie left him tired as he made way for Vladimir Smicer.
The former Le Havre man also held out hope that his performance against the Bianconeri, which included an assist for Luis Garcia's strike, would affect a change in his first team prospects.
"What surprised me the most is to have lasted 75 minutes at the same pace, I finished completely exhausted," Le Tallec continued.
"I hope we will qualify, then, if the first match can change my playing time, it would be nice."
