‘˜It’s the win that counts’

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez shrugged off his team’s poor performance at home to French side Marseille in the Champions League last night, insisting “at the end of the day we won and that is the main thing.”

The Reds failed to impress as they were frustrated by the visitors for long periods of the game, and failed to create many chances.

Strong defending from Pepe Reina and Jamie Carragher kept Marseille at bay, and Steven Gerrard‘s first half header from a Xabi Alonso cross was the only goal that separated the two sides.

But Benitez says they went out for a win, got it and progressed to the next round of the Champions League, so it’s job done.

“I think the game was a bit strange because we scored a goal and then they were attacking, and we could only play on the counter attack,” he said after the game.

“We played open against a team who have pace and ability – this is always a problem.

“They needed to attack and had three strikers. They also had one or two players between the lines, so to control five players with pace and ability isn’t always easy.

“We were trying to play Torres in with the final pass too quickly sometimes, and that is something we have to analyse. But the main thing today was to win and qualify, so we are really pleased.”

Liverpool now face PSV Eindhoven in their final group game in Holland on December 9th.

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