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Rafa: Reds can build on win

26 Oct 2009 - 07:33:14

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Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool can use the confidence gained from Sunday's 2-0 victory over Manchester United to bounce back from their disappointing season so far.

Goals from Fernando Torres and substitute David N'Gog ended the Reds' four-match losing run, which had piled the pressure on Benitez's shoulders.

"We needed to win for our confidence and it will be a big boost for the team because the win was against such a good team," said the Spaniard.

"The fans are elated and all the players are in the same mood. You have to be positive in football, you have to be ready.

"Our players are good players. People talked before the game that we were not, but I know that is wrong. We have many players injured, that is the problem.

"Hopefully that win will now kick-start our season. I am sure we have a team good enough to win many games in a row.

"The players just did not want to lose. They wanted to win, to show character, and this was the perfect response from them."

Meanwhile, Benitez revealed that Torres started the match despite not being fully fit.

The Spain striker had missed the last three games with a groin problem.

"In the morning I had decided that he would be involved, but I needed convincing he could start rather than just be a substitute," added Benitez.

"You could see he was not 100 per cent fit, but sometimes 80 per cent of Fernando can make a difference.

"We had to be very careful with him and that is why we took him off near the end.

"You have to take care of him. But we were waiting for that final pass and when it came we knew he would score."