วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 8 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2553

Benitez: We will try to win every game


Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will not lose sight of his top-four aim as he targets Europa League glory.

Benitez's side produced a stunning attacking performance to overturn a first-leg deficit and sweep into the semi-finals of the European competition.

Liverpool had trailed 2-1 after the first leg in Lisbon but Fernando Torres hit two goals in an emphatic 4-1 success on a pulsating night at Anfield.

It was a performance in marked contrast to the team's struggles in the Barclays Premier League, where fourth place is starting to look out of reach.

Benitez, whose side return to league action against fellow semi-finalists Fulham on Sunday, said: "Any win is important, especially at this stage of a competition.

"Hopefully we can play well, score goals, get closer to the top four and get to the final.

"We will try to win every game. We will try to do it against Fulham and try to get close to the top four.

"If we can get to the final and win the final we will be very pleased. We have two targets now and we will try to do both."

Liverpool turned the tie around with goals from Dirk Kuyt and Lucas inside the opening 33 minutes.

Torres finished off a sweeping counter-attack to add a third just before the hour.

Oscar Cardozo, double goalscorer last week, set up a potentially nervy finish by pulling one back from a free-kick but Torres killed the tie with a delightful goal on 82 minutes.

Benfica coach Jorge Jesus said: "Liverpool have a very good team.

"We had very good periods, especially in the first few minutes, but Liverpool are a very experienced team at this level.

"In the first half we commanded the game for certain short periods but we had difficulties coping with the counter-attack from Liverpool.

"At 2-0 we were in a very difficult position. We tried to look for one goal to make things level but the speed of Liverpool's counter-attack was very fast.

"Things then became complicated but I have to congratulate Liverpool because they showed they are a very good team."

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