Benítez enjoys 'fantastic' night

The Liverpool FC manager Rafael Benítez was delighted to end a week of lows on a huge high as the English club came from behind to defeat FC Barcelona 2-1 and establish a significant advantage in this first knockout round tie. A training camp in Portugal had been marred by an altercation between Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise, who both found the net at Camp Nou after Deco's opener. Frank Rijkaard, meanwhile, insisted his team must believe in their own ability if they are not to relinquish their crown at Anfield in a fortnight.

Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona coach
The result was not very positive and I'm obviously concerned. We started well and I had high expectations when we scored the first goal. After 20 minutes the rhythm changed and when Liverpool equalised they became more competitive. We had chances to go further ahead but we did not take them. No one player can be blamed as it is everyone's fault when you lose. I am always optimistic and positive, but we must be realistic too - it will be difficult to come back. There are 90 minutes remaining and Liverpool have the advantage. They can sit back and play like they did today, but we have to be confident and trust ourselves. We have to work together and move forward now.

Rafael Benítez, Liverpool manager
When you beat a great side it is always a big thing, and to win at Camp Nou is fantastic. I am really pleased for Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise and the team. We have a good chance to go through now, but we still have to be careful because Barça are very dangerous on the counterattack and have very good offensive players. The game did not go as I had planned because we conceded the first goal. I wanted to control the match and play on the break. We had problems when they changed Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi around, and that is why we put five in midfield, to try and regain control. I want to thank our supporters because we heard them singing and it was very positive for us.