Benitez edges towards deal with Liverpool

Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool's future is in good hands as he edges closer to a new deal that will ensure he is at the helm of the Premier League leaders for another four and a half years.

Reports in the English media suggest the Spanish manager is on the verge of signing a contract extension that will keep him in charge at Anfield until 2013, giving him extra reason to celebrate after his side marched into the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-1 win over PSV in Eindhoven on Tuesday night.

For Benitez, a 40th European win with Liverpool took him past Bob Paisley's club record but it was the sight of three homegrown youngsters making their debuts on the continental stage that gave him the most cause for satisfaction.

Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly all got their first taste of European action while two of the youngsters imported by Benitez, Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva and French striker David Ngog, had outstanding matches.

“It is always good to be able to bring on local youngsters, produced by the club,” Benitez said. “Everything went right and I was delighted with the overall performance. There were plenty of positives for the club and its future.”

As winners of group D, Liverpool will be seeded for the second round draw and have the advantage of playing the second leg of their last 16 tie at Anfield.

Benitez said: “We wanted to win the group to make sure that we had the second leg of the next round at Anfield.

Needing a win to secure a place in the UEFA Cup, PSV took the lead through Danko Lazovic but they never seriously threatened to pull off an upset against opponents who belied their recent sluggish form to to claim a convincing win.

Ryan Babel equalised on the stroke of half-time and second-half goals from Spanish winger Albert Riera (a 30-yard screamer) and Ngog delivered what was ultimately a comfortable victory.

“We were able to make a lot of changes, and all the players coming in did well,” Benitez added. “Diego Cavalieri in goal was very good, Ryan Babel scored a fine goal and worked hard throughout.

“We are always able to say that people like Jamie Carragher, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger have played well. But this time we are able to say that about young lads and many of our squad players.

“We have won the group and that gives us growing confidence. We will now be drawn against a team who have finished second in their group, and we cannot play the other English sides at the next stage.

“I can only hope for a good draw next week and look forward to a second leg in front of our own fans in the next round.”

PSV coach Huub Stevens admitted his side had been well beaten.

“Liverpool were more experienced and we made some silly mistakes but I felt we started the game well and we deserved to be in the lead.

“It was hard to concede a goal seconds before the break and the mood in the dressing room at half-time was very down.

“But the way we had played in that opening spell gives me encouragement for the rest of the season.”

An additional bonus for Benitez was that under-fire striker Robbie Keane set up Ngog for the third goal and a strong all-round display will have helped to counteract criticism that he has not been worth the 20 million pounds Liverpool paid to sign him from Tottenham.

“Don't get me wrong, I love to score but the most important thing is the team's performance and the result,” Keane said afterwards.

“As long as I keep working hard for the team and keep going I'll be here for a long time and I'll score a lot of goals.”