LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has defended his tactics at Aston Villa.
The Anfield side gained a creditable point from a goalless draw with Martin O'Neill's team.
But the use of striker Robbie Keane out wide on the left provoked a lot of comment.
However Benitez insists it was the right decision.
He said: "We changed the system to play 4-3-3 and give Xabi Alonso freedom, then when he was being pressed we changed to 4-2-3-1. People said, 'Oh, Robbie Keane wasn't playing well on the left.' But we had to think about winning the game, not just one player."
Liverpool were without Steven Gerrard through injury and lost Fernando Torres to a hamstring strain in the first half.
Benitez added: "Getting a draw without them showed the quality in the squad – but it could have been better. Having watched the videos, I thought we could have won. We had four chances – Alonso, Kuyt, Ngog and Keane. They had two and some set-pieces. So, the point was good but it could have been better."
Meanwhile, he is backing his side to improve their form - even though they remain unbeaten in the Premier League and are joint top of the table.
The displays have not been totally convincing and with dates against Manchester United and Everton on the horizon along with the start of the Champions League group stages, Benitez told the club's official website:
"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better. We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."
And the manager is optimistic Gerrard, out with a groin strain, could be fit in time for the encounter with United on September 13.
Benitez said: "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon."
Benitez has also welcomed the competition for places in the squad, which has seen Daniel Agger miss out from playing in defence since the first leg of the Champions League qualifier in Liege.
Benitez said: "Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that.
"We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."
The Anfield side gained a creditable point from a goalless draw with Martin O'Neill's team.
But the use of striker Robbie Keane out wide on the left provoked a lot of comment.
However Benitez insists it was the right decision.
He said: "We changed the system to play 4-3-3 and give Xabi Alonso freedom, then when he was being pressed we changed to 4-2-3-1. People said, 'Oh, Robbie Keane wasn't playing well on the left.' But we had to think about winning the game, not just one player."
Liverpool were without Steven Gerrard through injury and lost Fernando Torres to a hamstring strain in the first half.
Benitez added: "Getting a draw without them showed the quality in the squad – but it could have been better. Having watched the videos, I thought we could have won. We had four chances – Alonso, Kuyt, Ngog and Keane. They had two and some set-pieces. So, the point was good but it could have been better."
Meanwhile, he is backing his side to improve their form - even though they remain unbeaten in the Premier League and are joint top of the table.
The displays have not been totally convincing and with dates against Manchester United and Everton on the horizon along with the start of the Champions League group stages, Benitez told the club's official website:
"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and Ryan Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better. We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."
And the manager is optimistic Gerrard, out with a groin strain, could be fit in time for the encounter with United on September 13.
Benitez said: "Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon."
Benitez has also welcomed the competition for places in the squad, which has seen Daniel Agger miss out from playing in defence since the first leg of the Champions League qualifier in Liege.
Benitez said: "Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that.
"We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."
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