Benitez hails his Dirk destroyer

Rafael Benitez reserved special praise for Dirk Kuyt after Liverpool's unexpected 2-0 Champions League victory over Inter Milan.

Dutch striker Kuyt has been badly out of form this season but he struck in the closing minutes against the Italians on Tuesday and - with Steven Gerrard grabbing a second - helped keep Liverpool's European dreams very much alive.

Benitez said: "I have always had confidence in Kuyt. He has had a difficult time this season but has never failed to work hard."

He added: "Against Inter, he was asked to play out of position on the right, but he produced a good hard-working display and was rewarded with a crucial goal for us."

Benitez insisted he always believed his under-fire team could produce a night of European triumph, just four days after their FA Cup humiliation at the hands of Barnsley.

Liverpool bounced back from that disaster against a Coca-Cola Championship side to beat a team rated the best in Europe on current form.

Benitez, his job reputed to be on the line, said: "This result is good for the confidence of the team, the supporters and the club.

"I always had confidence in my players. They played well, with passion, and they passed the ball excellently.

"It was clearly much better than the last match, and even though Inter Milan had 10 men for a long spell, they were still formidable opponents who were organised, defended well and were always capable of scoring on the break."

The Spaniard added: "I accept that we needed this win as a team, we needed to progress in the competition. As a manager, you are always pleased with a win like this, and this is now the time to be happy."