Benitez stays positive despite defeat at Lille

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez praised his side’s attitude despite seeing them fall to a 1-0 defeat at French side Lille in the away leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

The five-time European champions have fallen off the pace in the Premier League and face a struggle to qualify for next season’s Champions League after a 1-0 defeat at Wigan on Monday left them in sixth place.

The Europa League is their only chance of salvaging silverware from an underwhelming campaign but Benitez said his team had given him reason for optimism despite the defeat in northern France.

“I think it was an improvement,” said Benitez, whose side were beaten by a free-kick from 19-year-old Belgian prospect Eden Hazard with six minutes remaining.

“The reaction has been very positive. I am disappointed with the result, but really pleased with the effort of the players.

“I have confidence we can beat anyone on a good day at Anfield. I would be worried today if the players hadn’t worked as hard as they have. The fans will play a part, they will push and will be behind the team.

“Lille are a good side, with good players and they are dangerous. We will play a difficult game at Anfield but have confidence we can beat them.”

The return leg takes place on March 18 and Liverpool will enter the game without an away goal despite presentable chances having fallen to Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres.

“When you play away in these knockout competitions, you have to score when you have chances,” Benitez said.

“In any competition it is important to try and score away, particularly in this one. It is a great advantage if you do. If not you have to be strong, but I think we were strong enough today.

“We had two or three situations, so that was a pity, but the reaction was good and we still have 90 minutes to play.

“Sometimes you play well and score an early goal — then you can manage the game. If we work as hard as we did today, we can beat anyone.

“The attitude of the players was fantastic. We were talking about not letting the fans down in terms of team effort and I think we did this.”

Torres had a fairly quiet game as he continues his return from injury, with Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau repelling him on the only occasion he hit the target, but Benitez was pleased with his striker’s showing.

“He was working hard today. You can see he has his pace coming back. But the main thing was the team and the players played at the level you expect of them.”

The Reds return to league action at home to bottom club Portsmouth on Monday and Benitez said the objective now was to win every remaining game.

“Every game is important for us now,” said the Spaniard.

“We have to be ready to play Portsmouth and try to win. Then we have to look to the Europa League game, that is how it is when you are a top side playing in different competitions.”