Liverpool Football Club News

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Benitez: Benayoun strike vital

05 Apr 2009 - 09:27:58

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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes Yossi Benayoun's stoppage-time winner at Fulham could be the most important goal of their season.

The Israel international's dramatic late strike, after the Reds had carved out and spurned a number of goalscoring opportunities, secured a dramatic 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage.

The three points also sent Liverpool to the top of the Premier League table at the expense of Manchester United and afterwards Benitez hailed the never-say-die attitude of his players.

"You never know how important it will be - hopefully it will be the most important of the season if we win the title," said the Spaniard.

"We worked so hard, played well and deserved to win. It was important for the fans and the main thing was the belief in the team.

"I always had confidence because we were playing well. The message at half-time was to keep doing the same and you'll score."

Meanwhile, Benitez claims the pressure in the race for the Premier League title is all back on United now.

The Red Devils have seen their recent seven-point lead become a two-point deficit in the build-up to Sunday's crunch clash with fifth-placed Aston Villa.

"I think it's really important, not only because it keeps United under pressure, but also for us," continued Benitez.

"It will still be difficult but we are winning games and we have a lot of confidence now.

"But the winning mentality is to do things not say things and we want to do things."