Rafa admits Euro relief

Liverpool boss not surprised by Standard onslaught

Last updated: 14th August 2008

Rafa admits Euro relief

Benitez: Frustrating night

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he was not surprised his side were forced to survive an onslaught from Standard Liege in the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds clung on to a 0-0 draw in Belgium in the first leg of their third qualifying round tie and they were grateful to goalkeeper Jose Reina for saving Dante Bonfim's early penalty.

And Benitez has admitted his relief that Liverpool do not find themselves behind ahead of the second leg at Anfield on 27th August.

"We were not surprised by the fine performance of the Liege side, we had seen enough of them to know they were a good, aggressive side," said Benitez.

Positive

"The real surprise for me was the way Liverpool played. The only positive to take from the match was the fact that we did not concede a goal.

"We will have to be a lot better in the second leg at Anfield, much better.

"We have been playing well in pre-season, looking confident and passing the ball well. But we did not do any of those things."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard began the game on the bench and Benitez confessed he was forced to bring the midfielder on in the second half because of his team's shortcomings.

"I did not want to bring Steven Gerrard on because the doctors had told me he was not fit enough to start the match," added Benitez.

"We waited until well into the second-half before using him, but we were not controlling the game and I had to bring him on."