Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Benitez enjoys 'perfect' night

02 Oct 2008 - 07:34:46

Click To Enlarge

Rafael Benitez claimed Liverpool's 3-1 Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven was 'almost the perfect night' for his side.

Captain Steven Gerrard stole the headlines with his 100th goal for the club as the Reds cruised to a comfortable win against the Dutch champions.

PSV were never in contention as further goals by Dirk Kuyt and Robbie Keane - his first for the club - ensured that Danny Koevermans' late strike was little more than a consolation.

"It was almost the perfect night. It was a really good game for us with lots of positive things, a solid performance with balance and quality," enthused Benitez.

"Now we must keep on winning. This is a very good start for us, different maybe from last season when we did not start our group matches that well.

"I was pleased for Robbie Keane. Now he has got his first European goal for us, I hope he will now score his first Premier League goal.

"I know Robbie will score a lot more goals for us in the future, so this was just the first step for him.

"I was pleased also for Steven Gerrard. For a midfielder to score 100 goals is very impressive.

"He is among the very best offensive midfield players anywhere."

Meanwhile, Benitez now believes qualification from Group D is in sight after taking maximum points from their first two games.

"We have four games left in the group now and we know from experience that you must fight to the bitter end," he continued.

"But I believe that 10 points will now be enough to see us into the next stage.

"We will try to win our next match away to Atletico Madrid and then maybe just one more point will do."