Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez heaped to the praise of his players following the club's progress to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the expense of Barcelona. Liverpool lost 1-0 at home on Tuesday but their first-leg 2-1 win lifted them over the Catalans on the away goals rule. Benitez claimed that the whole team produced a brilliant performance to eliminate the title holders out of the competition. "I don't like praising just one player after a performance like that against Barcelona. Everyone contributed. The team, all of them, were giving something to the team in a brilliant night," Benitez was quoted as saying by Sky sports network. However the Spanish tactician singled out England centre back Jamie Carragher with a special praise, highlighting the defender's role to keep Barcelona's high-profile forwards at bay. "It was an astonishing performance from Jamie. When defenders like Jamie have to play against world-class players like Ronaldinho, it is important that they do not make mistakes - and he didn't." On the other hand, Barca manager Frank Rijkaard was happy with the spirit shown by his players while admitting that his opponents deserved their victory.
Carragher kept Ronaldinho at bay "It is necessary to congratulate Liverpool," the Dutchman said. "They have played, forcefully, very hard, direct and with a lot of mental strength, they have made a great team, organised well at the back and with a lot of depth. "The result was correct. We gained 0-1, but with some luck. They had chances and were a team with a lot of emotion and at a superior level." Despite suffering the second consecutive blow in the space of four days following their loss at the hands of Sevilla in the Primera Liga last weekend, Rijkaard was still satisfied with his players' performance throughout the Liverpool game. "We could not make a difference, but I congratulate the attitude and the pride of the players," Rijkaard added. "They were excellent and played with a good spirit. "Barca played with pride and we won here in a complicated match, yes perhaps with some luck - but the players fought and this is a good thing."
