Source: Liverpool_Echo
Make no mistake, Liverpool FC manager Rafael Benitez got it right against Benfica
IT takes an honest man to admit his mistakes. Rafa Benitez stopped short yesterday of elaborating as to exactly where he feels he has gone wrong this season, but at least he's been brave enough to hold his hands up.[LNB]It was the Liverpool manager's insistence for the officials to do likewise last night after a staggering decision threatened to keep Liverpool at bay in a finely balanced cup tie.[LNB]When Dirk Kuyt's first half header from a Steven Gerrard corner was initially ruled out for offside, Benitez consulted his rulebook and immediately drew the error to the attention of the fourth official.[LNB]After a few moments of confusion, and some wireless consultation between referee, linesman, fourth and fifth officials the goal was given, Liverpool had their noses in front and the dynamics of this quarter-final shifted in favour of Benitez's team.[LNB]With no room for error, there was little amiss at Anfield as he masterminded another European comeback that will be talked about for years to come.[LNB]Liverpool's place among the last four of a competition they are clear favourites to win for a record fourth time is down to much more than a referee's common sense.[LNB]So heavily criticised for tampering with his team at St Andrew's on Sunday, Benitez got it spot on here.[LNB]Struggling with a knock from early in the game, Fernando Torres's double proved he can be the difference between success and failure even when he's not firing on all cylinders.[LNB]But we knew that already.[LNB]Aside from the obvious, it was elsewhere on the pitch that this game and ultimately the tie was won.[LNB]Perhaps more by accident than design, the inclusion of Sotirios Kyrgiakos subdued the aerial threat of Oscar Cardozo that had caused Liverpool so many problems at the Estadio da Luz a week earlier.[LNB]The decision to play Daniel Agger at left-back provided a calm reassurance that was lacking in the first leg while Jamie Carragher and Glen Johnson completed the balance that allowed Liverpool to build from the back.[LNB]Above all, however, was the double act from Lucas and Javier Mascherano.[LNB]It is often said that Liverpool don't need two holding midfielders at Anfield.
