Late goal disappoints Benitez

Rafa Benitez was disappointed after Liverpool conceded another last-gasp goal to lose 2-1 to Fiorentina at Anfield.

The Reds took the lead two minutes before the interval when Yossi Benayoun headed home but the Italians levelled on 63 minutes through Martin Jorgensen.

Alberto Gilardino then won it deep into injury time when scoring from a Juan Vargas cross to keep the Italians top of Group E.

The Reds had conceded a late goal in both games against Lyon, and Benitez was upset that now Fiorentina had struck in injury time to steal their win.

He told Sky Sports 2: "I feel very disappointed because we have conceded three goals in the Champions League in the last minute.

"When you are not winning it's important not to lose."

He believed the loss in the first game against the Italians was the key to the Reds not qualifying for the knockout phase of the competition this year.

"I think the first half against Fiorentina was the key and after the late goals made the difference, especially the two goals against Lyon," he said.

"We could be playing today for a different situation but we conceded these two late goals (against Lyon)."

But he was pleased with the return of star striker Fernando Torres, who came on as a substitute after five games out, while Alberto Aquilani made his first start.

"You could see today Torres coming back and (Steven) Gerrard fit, we will have more chances. Aquilani he started the game today, so hopefully we will have more bodies."

Asked if he believed Liverpool are still progressing, he said: "Yes - I feel we know that we have a target now, that this is the next game against Arsenal so we have to keep going in the Premier League."

He added Aquilani's match fitness has to improve "but his quality was very clear" and when asked if Torres will play against the Gunners, he replied: "He was okay, he was testing himself. I think he did some good things, again it is the match fitness, that we have to be sure that he can do it well."

Liverpool are not expected to be seeded in the Europa League but Benitez was not unduly concerned.

"At the end of the day we can not change this so we have to just play, we play here or away, it doesn't matter," said the Reds boss.

Asked if he will play his strongest team in the Europa League on a Thursday and then his strongest team on a Sunday, he said: "We will try to win against Arsenal and after we will see."