Rafa Benitez claims Liverpool took a huge step towards
finishing in the top four after Fernando Torres downed rivals Aston
Villa with an injury-time winner.
Benitez believes his side have gained much more than three
points from the victory.
He said: "We knew we had to win to reduce the gap. The team was
working hard and you could see how everyone was together.
"I'm really pleased for Fernando, for the team and for the club.
After this game it's easier because everyone's happier.
"We've talked about the squad. Players like Gerrard, Torres,
Carra, Mascherano - they all played so well last year and if they
do the same we can do well.
"We were playing a team with a lot of confidence. We had to work
hard and play well. The conditions were really bad but little by
little we controlled possession. We made some mistakes but tried to
win the game from beginning to end."
On his much-publicised 'guarantee' that Liverpool will finish in
the top four, Benitez added: "You have some experience as a
journalist. What do you think a manager will say? People are
surprised because I say I guarantee. But I am a manager, I have to
believe and I believe 100 per cent we'll be in the top four."
Benitez knows keeping Torres fit for the rest of the season will
be key to his side's chances.
The Spanish ace played despite an ankle problem and became the
fastest player in Liverpool history to record 50 league goals.
Benitez said: "He had some problems with his ankle more than his
groin. He's working hard with the physios and fitness coach. It
depends on how he feels but he was okay for this game.
"We signed a very good player, a player with a good mentality
and quality. You saw here that he has one chance and he scores.
"He is one of the best strikers in the world. For me, you can
never, ever say someone is the best because there are other good
strikers in other countries.
"I was surprised the other day with an expert talking about how
Gerrard scores goals and always saves Liverpool. But he is Steven
Gerrard. And Fernando Torres is the same.
"If these players are fit and playing well then we know we're a
very good team. Hopefully Fernando will be fit until the end of the
season."
The gaffer also reserved words of praise for Pepe Reina, who
ensured Liverpool kept a clean sheet with a string of world-class
saves.
"Reina is a fantastic keeper," said Benitez. "When you have a
top-class keeper in a top side you know there will only be one or
two situations where he has to be good and he is really good in
those situations."