Rafa finds positives in draw

Benitez: Happy with Molineux point

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Rafa Benitez treated Liverpool's goalless draw with Wolves as a positive result despite falling off the pace for a UEFA Champions League berth.

The Reds had the chance to return to the top four for the first time since September providing results went their way ahead of their clash against relegation-battling Wanderers on Tuesday night.

But even with the return of fit-again talisman Steven Gerrard, the Merseysiders' toothless display saw maximum points elude them and leave them trailing Tottenham by three points in the race for fourth place.

"I think it was a tough game in the first half," admitted Benitez to Sky Sports.

"We were more in control in the second half, they were pushing (for a goal). It was a tough game for both (sides) and maybe the result is fair.

Positive

"I think it (the draw) is positive - we kept a clean sheet and you can see the team was working very hard and everybody is working for everyone."

The game saw Benitez make two changes to the team that beat top-four rivals Spurs with skipper Gerrard and new-boy Maxi Rodriguez handed starts for the Molineux trip.

But neither player left their mark on the game, with Gerrard - returning from a hamstring injury - looking particularly rusty but the Reds boss was happy with the duo's performances in the draw.

But Benitez reckons Gerrard will be back on top form very soon.

"It was positive for us that he was available, you can see that he has to improve his match fitness but it's a question of time," the Spaniard said.

And on Rodriguez's role he added: "He can give us more competition for each position and that is also good because we have problems in the wide areas."