Rafael Benitez paid tribute to the ten men who overcame their opponents in a febrile derby atmosphere suggesting that a win, despite a numerical disadvantage for much of the game, may demonstrate the fight his club will show in the battle for gaining a coveted Champions League spot.
The Anfield boss was certainly in no doubt that his side deserved a win and of its significance.
“I think it is massive for us to win always in a derby. It’s really important,” he said.
“To win in a derby with 10 players in Anfield is more important. So I think that people will be really really pleased. I am really pleased for the players for fans as everyone was working so hard. So I think at the end we deserved to win.
“From the beginning we were doing well in terms of work rate and after [the sending off] it was amazing to see all the players working so hard. Defending and also going forward and trying to score.
Specifically on the battle for at least the fourth position his side currently occupy the manager warned there was more hard work needed.
He added: “We know it is a long race so we have to keep going keep working hard, keep winning games. Every game will be very important but at least we have won this but at least we have won this and we can enjoy two or three days.
Dirk Kuyt who registered a half century of goals for the club and a fifth in the Merseyside derby was praised for his contribution to Liverpool’s run.
“He is scoring some goals against Everton and is good for him, good for our fans,” Benitez said.
“He can be a hero and has scored lots of goals. 50 goals is an amazing record for a player that is playing everywhere.
“I thought there were too many tackles which you can analyse better than us watching the telly so I prefer not to comment about the referee.
“I think that we were trying to win they were trying to win. It’s always the same in a derby.
“We knew it could be tough could be difficult. At the end of the day it depends on the referee but again I will say we tried to do our best before the game , tried to control and to play with our heads as well as their hear but sometimes its difficult.
Tension in the stands was all too apparent on the pitch.
Though the Spaniard who pointedly gave no opinion on the performance of referee Martin Atkinson preferred not to comment on a Stephen Pienaar tackle which could have seen the South African sent off he was only too happy to state belief in his side, regardless of the odds, and rejected suggestions that Everton didn’t make things difficult for their hosts.
“We won two years ago with ten players and here was the same effort. The team has played maybe better when you know you have to fight and have to stay together.”
A lack of Everton pressure was the manager stated most probably down to the efforts of Liverpool. The manager insisted the credit should go to the Reds as the team was doing well.
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