Rafa admits replay relief

Benitez: Relieved

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admitted he was satisfied just to still be in the FA Cup following the 1-1 draw with Reading.

The Royals have been struggling in the Championship of late but they upset the form book to earn a replay at Anfield later this month.

Simon Church tapped in to give Reading an early lead but Liverpool drew level courtesy of a Steven Gerrard effort before half-time.

The Reds then found themselves on the back foot for much of the second period and Benitez was glad to hear the final whistle.

"I'm relieved," said the Spaniard.

"To play in front of the TV and against Liverpool I think was a massive boost for them and you could see they played really well.

Trophy target

"They were pushing and working very hard from the beginning until the end so we had to do our job.

"It was a difficult game and the most positive thing is that we will play another game at Anfield."

Benitez selected a strong starting XI including both Gerrard and Fernando Torres and he has vowed to try his best to win the competition.

"We know that we have two clear chances to win trophies - the Europa League and the FA Cup - so we will try our best in both and keep improving in the league," he said.

"This is the way now so we try to win.

"Our aim is to win trophies so we have to start winning these games."

Babel

Quizzed about his transfer plans for this month, Benitez stressed that he would be fighting to keep Ryan Babel

The Dutch winger was an unused substitute against the Royals and has had few opportunities to shine this season but Benitez has offered him hope for the future.

"He will have a chance to play," he said.

"He has to work hard for us. He's our player and he will have his chances. At this moment we are not trying to sell him."