Sunday, August 03, 2008

Rafa Impressed With 'Pool's Dynamic Duo

Rafael Benitez was happy with the bustling shift put in by new-look strikeforce Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane as his Liverpool side put Rangers to the sword in Saturday's friendly.

Against Rangers on Saturday, Liverpool gaffer Rafa Benitez started with the partnership that has had Liverpool fans talking this week: Fernando Torres and big-money signing Robbie Keane.

Benitez has wasted no time in pairing Euro 2008 star Torres and former Spurs skipper Keane and liked what he saw as the duo both put in busy shifts en route to a 4-0 victory against SPL side Rangers.

Also delighted with playmaker Steven Gerrard, Rafa told Setanta after the game: "Both players showed good movement and so did Gerrard. The three were key to keeping possession.

"Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun were coming inside so I felt we had five offensive players - very clever and with quality - so we were a threat all the time.

"Keane is very clever and he worked hard; hopefully we will see a lot of good movement and also goals from him."

The Ibrox faithful ironically played a part in the Gers' second half mauling, according to Benitez, who claimed the Reds were able to expoit their eager hosts as they surged forward in search of a leveller, having been a goal down at the break.

He continued: "The first half was okay, but in the second half they needed to go forward in front of their supporters. We had more space and we scored the second goal on the counter-attack.

"In the second half, with the game more open, it was easier for us to keep the high tempo.

"However, from the start of the game we wanted to impress and we wanted to win."

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