Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez: I 'Cannot Ask For More' From My Players

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has showered his team with praise saying he "cannot ask for more" from his charges following the 1-0 victory at Anfield over their cross-town rivals Everton.

Sotirios Kyrgiakos was sent off for a horrific challenge on Marouane Fellaini in the first-half, with the Belgian lucky not to have seen a red himself for his part in the crunching two-way tackle.

Despite being a man short, the hosts went on the score through a set-play in the second period, when skipper Steven Gerrard sent a precise cross to striker Dirk Kuyt, whose glancing header ensured that the Kopites went home happy.

Now, probably with renewed optimism, the Spanish gaffer has Wednesday's trip to the Emirates on his mind.

"Hopefully we'll have more confidence for the next game against Arsenal, we are doing much better and we won today with 10 players so we cannot ask for more," he said.

"It was an amazing performance from the team.

"It's a massive result for us. I felt the fans were behind the team working so hard and we were defending well and dangerous on the counter-attack.

"The commitment of our players was fantastic so everything was positive."

The former Valencia boss reserved special praise for Kuyt, who has a reputation for scoring in big games and whose header against the Toffees was his 50th goal for the club.

Benitez added: "He is an amazing player who works hard, scores goals, especially against Everton."

Following the victory over Everton, Liverpool have moved into fourth place for the moment. But they could be displaced by Tottenham Hotspur depending on the result at White Hart Lane against Aston Villa.