Manager Rafael Benitez insists Saturday’s point at Blackburn was another step in the right direction for Liverpool.
Chances were at a minimum during a frustrating afternoon at Ewood Park, but the Spaniard was delighted with a third successive clean sheet which extended his side’s unbeaten run in all competitions to six games.
“It was a difficult game against a team that is very physical and direct,” Benitez said.
“They were pushing in the first half with a lot of long balls and free-kicks deep into our box.
“To defend this style of football is not easy but I thought we did well and the clean sheet is the positive thing against this kind of team.
“The second half was much better. We were attacking with (David) Ngog and Nabil (El Zhar).
“We were creating more chances, had better possession, and the other positive thing about today is that we played better than we did against Everton.
“We’re disappointed because we were pushing very hard and we had chances to win. But at least we are improving and playing a little bit better.
“It’s another clean sheet, and you saw that we are reacting and trying to do things well.”
After a poor first half Liverpool improved after the break but Benitez was cursing his luck when David Ngog’s effort came back off the bar.
“I was convinced it was a goal,” Benitez said.
“And after that Kuyt had the rebound but it was well blocked.
“We could have won the game because we had the chances in the second-half and we were pushing and attacking all the time. But we could have lost because they had one or two chances on the counter-attack.
“If you analyse, the game was too open near the end but we had plenty of possession. The team played much better in the second-half.”
Benitez defended his decision not to bring on Alberto Aquilani and revealed he expects the Italian to make his first start for the club against Fiorentina on Wednesday night.
“We were thinking about giving him some minutes but the problem was which player to take off,” he said.
“We had balance in midfield and we were concerned we might lose control.
“It was a difficult and tough game and when a player doesn’t have match fitness to put him on the pitch in that situation is a risk.
“I know he can only get match-fitness from playing. He was ready to play with the reserves the other day but the game was postponed.
“He will have his chance against Fiorentina. At home with our fans it will be easier for him.”
Chances were at a minimum during a frustrating afternoon at Ewood Park, but the Spaniard was delighted with a third successive clean sheet which extended his side’s unbeaten run in all competitions to six games.
“It was a difficult game against a team that is very physical and direct,” Benitez said.
“They were pushing in the first half with a lot of long balls and free-kicks deep into our box.
“To defend this style of football is not easy but I thought we did well and the clean sheet is the positive thing against this kind of team.
“The second half was much better. We were attacking with (David) Ngog and Nabil (El Zhar).
“We were creating more chances, had better possession, and the other positive thing about today is that we played better than we did against Everton.
“We’re disappointed because we were pushing very hard and we had chances to win. But at least we are improving and playing a little bit better.
“It’s another clean sheet, and you saw that we are reacting and trying to do things well.”
After a poor first half Liverpool improved after the break but Benitez was cursing his luck when David Ngog’s effort came back off the bar.
“I was convinced it was a goal,” Benitez said.
“And after that Kuyt had the rebound but it was well blocked.
“We could have won the game because we had the chances in the second-half and we were pushing and attacking all the time. But we could have lost because they had one or two chances on the counter-attack.
“If you analyse, the game was too open near the end but we had plenty of possession. The team played much better in the second-half.”
Benitez defended his decision not to bring on Alberto Aquilani and revealed he expects the Italian to make his first start for the club against Fiorentina on Wednesday night.
“We were thinking about giving him some minutes but the problem was which player to take off,” he said.
“We had balance in midfield and we were concerned we might lose control.
“It was a difficult and tough game and when a player doesn’t have match fitness to put him on the pitch in that situation is a risk.
“I know he can only get match-fitness from playing. He was ready to play with the reserves the other day but the game was postponed.
“He will have his chance against Fiorentina. At home with our fans it will be easier for him.”
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