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Rafa believes Reds are better

20 Aug 2009 - 08:05:22

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Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool's 4-0 victory over Stoke City at Anfield proves they are a better team and more of a Premier League title threat than last season.

The Reds lost out by four points to Manchester United in the title race last season, with two goalless draws against the Potters proving costly.

But after goals from Fernando Torres, Glen Johnson, Dirk Kuyt and David N'Gog brushed aside a lacklustre Stoke on Wednesday night, Benitez was delighted with the progress made by his side.

"Last season against Stoke here, we just could not score an early goal to force them to come out," he said.

"This time we got one very quickly and it gave us the space to attack.

"The second just before the break was very important, because it gave us the cushion we needed."

Benitez was also delighted by a goalscoring Anfield debut for new £17million defender Johnson.

He added: "We wanted a player with quality who could score and create goals.

"He attacks very well and had a fine game. Against teams who defend deep against us, he can change games."