Rafa Benitez is delighted at his team's progress
following a 5-0 win over Singapore - their first pre-season
victory.
The Reds gave a disjointed appearance in the first half but took
the lead with the final kick before half-time when Andriy Voronin's
long-range effort found the net.
But the Premier League side were much improved after the break
as a brace by young Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth and a goal
each by Albert Riera by Fernando Torres sealed an emphatic win.
"Normally during the pre-season, you can see the team getting
fitter each week. In this case, we have been in Asia for one week
and it was really good," said Benitez just before the team jetted
back to Europe.
"Today, you could see that the team was stronger and fitter.
Especially in the second half, when our opponents were a little bit
more tired, we could play much better and we had more
opportunities.
"We still have three more games before we start the season
against Tottenham so there's still plenty of time to decide on the
team. The Spanish internationals and (Andrea) Dossena came in late
as well so they will need some time to be ready."
Benitez was especially pleased with the performance shown by
20-year-old Nemeth who is in strong contention for a spot in the
first team after coming off the bench to score twice in the Lion
City.
"He was really good two years ago for the reserve team, scoring
a lot of goals but last year he had some problems with injuries,"
said Benitez of the prodigious Hungarian striker.
"But he showed today that he's a good finisher and a player with
a future.
"It depends on the players always. If they're knocking on the
door and they knock really hard, then I have to hear. This is
important and it depends on them."
The Liverpool boss refused to be drawn on whether the Singapore
match marked Xabi Alonso's last appearance for the club.
The Spain midfielder came on with 13 minutes remaining for his
first pre-season appearance and helped to begin the move that led
to Torres' goal.
However, Benitez felt that the question of whether the
27-year-old would stay or leave for Real Madrid had to be addressed
to the player himself.
"It's a question that you have to ask him," he said.
"Honestly, we've been talking about this for two months but I
think that it is a question for him and not for us.
"He has three years on his contract and we know he is a great
player - that's why we signed him and renewed his contract. So you
have to ask him."
Benitez insisted that he will be leaving Asia with happy
memories.
"The fans have been amazing and it felt for us like we were back
at Anfield," he said.
"People here have been treating us with a lot of respect and you
can see the passion. Sometimes you say it's too far (to travel to
Asia) and you have one week away from your families but you can see
the faces of the fans and you feel good to be out here.
"When you've got fans saying that they've been waiting eight
years to see you, you have to be pleased to be here."
Such is the passion for the club in Asia that Benitez believes
his side will enjoy a significant advantage if the Premier League
ever manages to get its plan to play a 39th game in the region off
the ground.
"We normally play around 60 games a year so if were to play more
game, it would have to be organised properly. But it's not our
decision - the coaches and managers have to prepare the teams so it
depends on other people.
"But if we have to play with these fans behind us all the time,
it will be like playing at home."
