Benitez sees positive signs after derby victory

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes his side are edging back towards their peak form and fitness after Sunday's smash-and-grab Merseyside derby win at Everton.We were playing counter-attack because we were under pressure all the time, but I think that we had two or three very good counter-attacks.

The Reds were second best for the majority at Goodison Park, but their hosts failed to take chances in a tense encounter and paid the price as Joseph Yobo's deflected own goal after 12 minutes was followed by a late, close-range finish for Dirk Kuyt.

Steven Gerrard started another match despite appearing to lack match fitness as he continues to recover from a groin setback, while Albert Riera entered as a second-half substitute after injury.

Fernando Torres failed a late fitness test as he rehabilitates from another groin problem but Yossi Benayoun also came off the bench as he works back from injury, and Benitez believes that his side are improving.

A poor season has seen Liverpool off the pace in the Premier League and eliminated from the UEFA Champions League, but the eventually-meaningless win over Debrecen followed by the success at Everton has slightly steadied the ship in the past week.

Hard work
Benitez told : "After the time with a lot of injuries, some players are coming back and then we will see the difference hopefully in the next weeks."

He added on his side's display: "It was very difficult. We knew that it could be physical given the position of both teams and that they needed to win.

"We were working hard and had one or two chances and were maybe lucky with the deflection.

"But they were playing long balls and set-pieces and we were trying to defend and working very hard.

"The defenders were really good. Their full-backs and keeper were always kicking the ball long and it was difficult, but we knew it would be like that.


Under pressure
"We were playing counter-attack because we were under pressure all the time, but I think that we had two or three very good counter-attacks."

Benitez is hopeful Torres will soon be back in his plans after missing the Spain star over recent weeks.

The Anfield boss said: "He will be working very hard and we will see if he can be available."

Alberto Aquilani, who underwent a summer ankle operation prior to his Ј20million move from Roma, remained an unused substitute and Benitez did not want to expose the Italian to the English derby experience.

Benitez said: "Today was a very tough game so to change a player, Lucas (Levia) (Javier) Mascherano or Gerrard, who were working hard, was a difficult decision."