Faith in my players will be rewarded, insists Benitez

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez believes the faith he has in his players will be rewarded when the side take a grip on the race for Champions League qualification.

Confidence, always so fragile among footballers, had been gradually eroded at Anfield over the last couple of months after a succession of injuries and early exits from the Champions League and the FA Cup.

However, Wednesday night’s 2-0 victory over fourth-placed Tottenham has breathed new life into a squad which has been pilloried from the moment they lost to Fiorentina in Florence back in late September.

Benitez did not want to hail Wednesday night’s result as the pivotal moment of the season but he knows more displays like it will go a long way to backing up his “guarantee” of a top-four finish.

“We showed the level of football we can play and that we are working,” said the Spaniard.

“After one or two good performances people have more belief and confidence and hopefully we will play a little bit better.

“We have won the last three league games and drew against Stoke so it is not that bad a situation and we can carry on with this confidence and team spirit.

“If we can keep winning games in a row then I will say that the (Tottenham) result was a turning point.

“You have to believe, you have to think your players will do it. For me it is always a question of time; I had confidence we could win and now we keep going.”

Benitez has stressed his squad is not as bad as is perceived and, shorn of six regulars in Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun, Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Fabio Aurelio, those in reserve displayed a keen appetite for the battle.

Right-back Philipp Degen was on the end of some rough treatment from Spurs but never stopped running.

Alberto Aquilani was deployed in the Gerrard role behind the tireless Dirk Kuyt, who took his tally for the season for eight with both goals against Spurs, while winger Albert Riera made his first appearance since December 12.

“If we can keep the confidence and get more players fit it will be easier for me to find the right players for each game,” said Benitez. “We have too many players now that are sometimes available but not ready. It makes a big difference.”