Source: Daily_Mail
Benitez and Gerrard bask in victory after Liverpool demolish Madrid at Anfield
Rafa Benitez savoured an emphatic tactical triumph over arch-rival Juande Ramos as Real Madrid were subjected to their heaviest defeat in Champions League history at Anfield last night.
On a night when Chelsea also went through after a 2-2 draw at Juventus, Ramos was left rueing his pre-match taunt that Liverpool could 'only play one way'.
Benitez, whose Liverpool side won 4-0 to triumph 5-0 on aggregate, said: 'They were clearly expecting us to play deep and rely on counter attacks, but we were at them from the beginning. We put them under constant pressure and they could not cope. That was always the idea and it could not have worked out any better.'
As he reflected on the way Real were routed by two Steven Gerrard goals on his 100th appearance in Europe and one each for Fernando Torres and Andrea Dossena, Benitez was surprised at the size of a victory that looks sure to end former Tottenham boss Ramos's brief tenure at the Bernabeu.
Benitez said: 'I was always confident about going through when the draw was made, but I never envisaged an aggregate of 5-0. I always say I am never satisfied, whatever happens in a game, but that came close.
'People will single out individuals, but I was really pleased with the whole team. Everyone, from one to 11, was superb and it was another outstanding European performance.
'Hopefully, we will have given Manchester United something to think about this Saturday. They are a very good team, but we will go there full of confidence.'
Gerrard echoed his manager's sentiment that Liverpool can use their latest European triumph as a springboard for revitalising their fading Barclays Premier League titlehopes at Old Trafford.
Liverpool have to beat United to retain any prospect of overhauling them and a jubilant Gerrard said: 'First and foremost, it's all about enjoying tonight, resting up and getting some treatment for those lads who have picked up knocks.
'After that, we will start concentrating on United. They are a fantastic team, but we are full of confidence after that and will certainly go there and give it our best shot.'
Torres played with his right ankle strapped up but insisted there was no risk attached to returning to the starting line-up after a two-game absence.
The former Atletico Madrid marksman, whose ankle will be assessed today after swelling up again, said: 'I worked all week to be fit for this game and it was no gamble. It was very important for me to face Real, given my background with Atletico and a bit of pain wasn't going to stop me. That doesn't come into the reckoning for a game like this. The goal was important for me and I really enjoyed it.'
Trailing Barcelona in La Liga and humiliated by Liverpool in Europe, Ramos refused to be drawn on his future at Real, saying: 'That is a discussion for another day. Was Iout-thought by Benitez? No, it was all about the two teams out on the pitch, though I have to concede that Liverpool deserved to go through. There is no point running round in circles and trying to deny it, they were too good for us.
