Benitez takes heart from gritty Liverpool understudies

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(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-24 11:03

LEEDS, England: Rafael Benitez denied Liverpool had been lucky after David Ngog guided them into the League Cup fourth round with a 1-0 win at League One leaders Leeds.

Benitez takes heart from gritty Liverpool understudies

Benitez made nine changes from the side which triumphed at West Ham on Saturday, yet his fringe players failed to sparkle until Ngog struck with a low right-foot shot past Leeds goalkeeper Shane Higgs in the 66th minute on Tuesday.

However, Simon Grayson's impressive outfit emerged with their pride intact and their reputation enhanced after pushing Liverpool all the way in front of a raucous Elland Road crowd of 38,168.

Leeds created the better opportunities and had reasons to feel aggrieved as striker Jermaine Beckford had a goal chalked off in the early stages for an apparent offside infringement.

And Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano was fortunate to escape after catching Beckford with a flailing arm midway through the second half.

Benitez predictably swept both incidents under the carpet, saying of the Mascherano incident: "You see a lot of challenges during the game and plenty like the ones in this situation.

"But it was a very difficult game and credit to Leeds because the atmosphere was fantastic.

"We talked about it beforehand because we knew it would be massive for Leeds but we did the job.

"Was I impressed with David Ngog? Not really because I know what he is capable of. But he played fantastically well and scored the winning goal.

"It was a great goal. He showed quality, very good movement. He was also fighting big lads, so I think he had a very positive game for the team."

Benitez could also take heart from the way his understudies dug deep to see off determined opposition.

"We want to win every game in this Cup competition and have set a target to do that," he said.

"We worked hard and I feel we had our chances. We won with a lot of players not playing and I am really pleased with my team, with the squad.

"These kind of games are very important to keep the quality of character. I think it was a fantastic win for us.

"I think we showed we can manage with different players and for the rest of the season it is important to know you have players who can come in."

Grayson could not hide his pride for his players afterwards. For Leeds, the significance of a first meeting with Liverpool since February 2004 went far deeper than a place in the fourth round.

This was about regaining lost pride, of letting the football world know about the steady renaissance taking place at Elland Road under Grayson's astute guidance.

The former Leeds trainee said: "The difference between the sides tonight was a mis-hit shot from Mascherano and the ball has gone through to Ngog and he has scored.

"The two big decisions - the Beckford offside goal and the challenge by Mascherano on Jermaine - have gone against us.

"On another night we could have won the game but I am immensely proud of what we have done because we stood up and gave a great team a good game."

AFP