Benitez delighted with ‘perfect response’

Benitez believes it was a ‘perfect response’ to their 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday.

He said: “After what happened in midweek against Chelsea, that was the perfect response.

“We needed to play well and score goals and we didn’t concede against a team good in the air so it’s a very, very positive result. The first goal was very important. Both Torres’ goals were special.

“We did not have Gerrard but we know we can rely on our other top players. This was Fernando’s day to show that.

“I’m pleased we scored four goals – we could even have scored more – and we were able to rest Gerrard and change some players towards the end. We had confidence and we were always in control.”