Rafael Benitez has written himself into Liverpool history with his 40th European victory as Anfield boss, but it was the performances of his youngsters against PSV Eindhoven which pleased the Spaniard the most.
The convincing 3-1 win over PSV in their last Champions League pool game - which confirmed top spot in Group D - set a points record at this stage of the competition and saw Benitez overtake Bob Paisley's club record number of wins in Europe.
But Benitez was more pleased with being able to blood a trio of local youngsters, while seeing his own heavily-criticised young foreign imports also come good.
Lucas and David Ngog have born the brunt of such criticism of late, but both were outstanding against an increasingly dispirited Dutch side.
Once Ryan Babel had equalised Danko Lazovic's opener for PSV there was only going to be one winner with Albert Riera and Ngog scoring fine second-half goals.
Benitez said: "It is always good to be able to bring on local youngsters, produced by the club.
"And Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly all did well on their European debuts.
"Everything went right and I was delighted with the over-all performance. There were plenty of positives for the club and it's future."
Babel's goal was Liverpool's 300th in the European Cup, and the victory saw Liverpool pip Atletico Madrid for top spot in group D.
Benitez said: "We wanted to win the group to make sure that we had the second leg of the next round at Anfield.
"And there were so many positive things to take from this performance. We were able to use three young lads, and the performances of two other young players, Lucas and Ngog, were outstanding.
"We were able to make a lot of changes, and all the players coming in did well. Diego (Cavalieri) in goal was very good, Ryan (Babel) scored a fine goal and worked hard throughout."
Benitez added: "Once we had got level we were always a threat. I was very pleased with the overall performance, 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 maintained that his side were able to "leave the pitch with their heads held high".
He said: "Liverpool were more experienced. We made some silly mistakes in the first half, and kept repeating them in the second period.
"But I felt we started the game well, even if initially a little doubtful. And we deserved to be in the lead.
"But we conceded a goal seconds before the break and the mood in the dressing room at half-time was one of great disappointment.
"But the way we had played in that opening spell gives me confidence for our games to come in the Dutch League."
The convincing 3-1 win over PSV in their last Champions League pool game - which confirmed top spot in Group D - set a points record at this stage of the competition and saw Benitez overtake Bob Paisley's club record number of wins in Europe.
But Benitez was more pleased with being able to blood a trio of local youngsters, while seeing his own heavily-criticised young foreign imports also come good.
Lucas and David Ngog have born the brunt of such criticism of late, but both were outstanding against an increasingly dispirited Dutch side.
Once Ryan Babel had equalised Danko Lazovic's opener for PSV there was only going to be one winner with Albert Riera and Ngog scoring fine second-half goals.
Benitez said: "It is always good to be able to bring on local youngsters, produced by the club.
"And Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly all did well on their European debuts.
"Everything went right and I was delighted with the over-all performance. There were plenty of positives for the club and it's future."
Babel's goal was Liverpool's 300th in the European Cup, and the victory saw Liverpool pip Atletico Madrid for top spot in group D.
Benitez said: "We wanted to win the group to make sure that we had the second leg of the next round at Anfield.
"And there were so many positive things to take from this performance. We were able to use three young lads, and the performances of two other young players, Lucas and Ngog, were outstanding.
"We were able to make a lot of changes, and all the players coming in did well. Diego (Cavalieri) in goal was very good, Ryan (Babel) scored a fine goal and worked hard throughout."
Benitez added: "Once we had got level we were always a threat. I was very pleased with the overall performance, 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 maintained that his side were able to "leave the pitch with their heads held high".
He said: "Liverpool were more experienced. We made some silly mistakes in the first half, and kept repeating them in the second period.
"But I felt we started the game well, even if initially a little doubtful. And we deserved to be in the lead.
"But we conceded a goal seconds before the break and the mood in the dressing room at half-time was one of great disappointment.
"But the way we had played in that opening spell gives me confidence for our games to come in the Dutch League."
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