Benítez hails fans and Gerrard

Manager Rafael Benítez praised the Liverpool FC fans after his side had completed a remarkable comeback to beat Olympiacos CFP in UEFA Champions League Group A and reach the first knockout round. Olympiacos took the lead after 27 minutes through Rivaldo's free-kick. But Liverpool responded in the second half as Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Neil Mellor both scored within minutes of coming on as substitutes before Steven Gerrard claimed the crucial third with four minutes remaining - to ensure Liverpool moved ahead of Olympiacos on head-to-head record, leaving the Greek visitors in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.

Rafael Benítez, Liverpool manager
First of all, before you ask me anything, I have to say thank you to the supporters here tonight. I also have to say that we have very good [backroom] staff here, and we talked at half-time and decided to put Pongolle on for [Djimi] Traore. Steven Gerrard's goal was important for the team and for Steven. He is the captain and he always wants to win. And this was a very important goal for everybody. All of the team played well and we have more options now. I am delighted because the players ran all the time and we must be delighted for the supporters. Now we are among the last 16 clubs in Europe and we have the opportunity to fight for more things. And this is important for the future of the club. Olympiacos tried to keep the ball and have good counterattacks. Gerrard was influential all over the pitch and our supporters were the difference between winning and losing in the end. I am very proud.

Dušan Bajevic, Olympiacos coach
This is the worst game we have played for a long time. We did not create many chances. We thought we could hold the game after we scored the first goal. But Liverpool were better and stronger than us. With the pressure we were under in the second half we couldn't win. If we hadn't conceded so early in the second half we could have done something. Some Liverpool players were exciting and we made mistakes. Liverpool played the best game today. It was a difficult game. We have been better but we didn't give up. Steven Gerrard is one of the best players around. Liverpool have eleven quick players.

Steven Gerrard, Liverpool midfield player
At half-time I thought it was a mountain to climb. But we have climbed it - and credit to everyone here. We heard whispers that Monaco were three up. We thought maybe we could score two but knew that would not be enough. [For the goal] the ball was taking ages to come down and was spinning, and I thought 'this one is going into the stands. It was about time I caught one sweet - and I have not caught one as sweet as that for a long time. It was a massive night for me. My performance over 90 minutes was not one of my best - but that was one of the best goals I have scored. Credit to the subs. Sinama and Neil came on and have helped change the game. It was a terrific team performance in the second half.