Football - Liverpool FC: Rafael Benitez hails Alberto Aquilani after he opens Reds account in drubbing of Portsmouth

Mar 16 2010 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

Football - Liverpool FC: LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez paid tribute to Alberto Aquilani after he played a starring role in last night's 4-1 demolition of Portsmouth at Anfield.

The Italian midfielder capped his most accomplished display for the club with his first goal as he helped get their hopes of Champions League qualification back on track.

Fernando Torres struck twice and Ryan Babel was also on target as Liverpool returned to winning ways after back to back defeats to Wigan and Lille.

They leapfrogged Manchester City into fifth place and are now just a point behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Benitez said: “It was really good for Alberto and also good for the team.

“He will have more confidence after tonight.

“He showed he has quality and we knew that before. He was one of the players playing really well today. We have seen a lot of players doing well tonight and that's good for me as I will have more selection headaches.

“It was a good game. We wanted to play well for the fans and score goals and we did that.”

The emphatic victory was the perfect start to a crunch week with Thursday's Europa League last 16 second leg clash with Lille at Anfield followed by a league trip to Manchester United on Sunday.

And Benitez is delighted to have Torres back firing on all cylinders after his two goals last night took his tally for the season to 15.

“This is an important week for us so to start it with a win I'm really pleased,” Benitez added.

“Against Lille last week we showed character, but didn't play fantastic. We had chances but didn't take them.

“Tonight the pitch was much better and the players could enjoy playing good football more.

“Torres is a key player for us and he showed that again.

“He can score goals, he can be a threat for defenders and he can create space for the players behind him.”

Television replays suggested Steven Gerrard was fortunate to avoid punishment after clashing with Portsmouth's Michael Brown in the second half.

The Liverpool skipper was substituted immediately after but Benitez insisted he hadn't seen the incident.

“People were asking me but I haven’t seen it,” he said.

“I prefer to enjoy the goals tonight.”

Benitez also refused to be drawn on reports that American private equity firm, the Rhone Group, are prepared to put £118.5million into the club in return for a 40% stake.

“Today is a day to enjoy,” he added. “There are a lot of other people who can talk about this. The main thing for me is the team.

“In terms of the club the best way for me to try to help is by winning games.

“My future is very clear – I will go now to enjoy some beers with Avram Grant!”