Benitez: Mor to come

RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Liverpool fans have yet to see the full extent of striker Fernando Morientes’ array of talent.

At Real Madrid the Spaniard's aerial presence was derided as not fitting for the Galacticos but heading is appreciated in the Premiership and it brought Morientes his first Anfield goal.

Benitez said: "I feel he will be appreciated in England because of the style of football here. He is good in the air, he scores exceptional goals as we saw with our first.

"He is a very good player and we are going to see more and more of it here, our supporters can expect more."

But Benitez believes the 28-year-old is more than just a danger in the air. He added: "People think that Fernando is only good in the air, but that is not true. He can shoot with both feet and can play as a support striker too.

"When he was in Monaco he played as the second striker while at Real Madrid he was used as a target man. He is clever, and a good professional. He gives you two different options, as a striker, it is not just about his heading."

Milan Baros' strike to secure a 3-1 victory, sandwiched by a header from Sami Hyypia, meant the Liverpool boss saw both front-line forwards score something which needs to be maintained if Liverpool are to have a chance of claiming fourth spot.

Benitez said: "We produced some good crosses and the first goal by Fernando was fantastic, it was a special goal for the player and the team. I was also pleased that Milan Baros scored, he works so hard and can be very unlucky. But the goal will have given him confidence. That will make him play better."

Fulham, though, did pretty well to make the game a nervous one for the Merseysiders. Andy Cole also scored a header and it was not until the final half-hour that Liverpool got on top.

Previously they had spent too much time running into the man mountain that is Papa Bouba Diop. Steven Gerrard ended up with a heavily bandaged head after one clash too many with the Senegal star, and Liverpool had to go down the flanks to escape Fulham's giant.

Manager Chris Coleman was equally impressed with the midfielder, saying: "Diop is certainly a big boy and he competes all over the field. He's getting better now, when he first arrived at Fulham he struggled a bit with the tempo of the Premiership, but he's proved to be a good player.

"He can do a bit of everything out there. and he coped very well against Steven Gerrard the player I believe is the best midfield player in the country.

"I have seen Liverpool play better, but they got the result. We had them watched over their more recent games and they clearly were not at their best, but they were very impressive in winning at Charlton in midweek.

"I know Edwin van der Sar has been far busier. So to lose like we did is very disappointing. I am upset for my players because they worked so hard."