Liverpool FC get the lift they're looking for
Rafael Benitez admits Liverpool needed tonight's 2-0 home win over Sunderland to lift their spirits after a disastrous few days.
The Liverpool boss accepted the weekend defeat at Middlesbrough all but ended the Anfield title dreams.
But with the next two games at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League and then away to leaders Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League, Benitez knew confidence needed a boost.
"This win has lifted everyone's spirits after the bad defeat at the weekend," he said.
"We needed a win. The team needed to show character, and that is what they produced."
Benitez was also delighted with French teenager David Ngog, who scored the first and created the second for Yossi Benayoun on his full home debut.
Ngog has come in for considerable criticism of late.
But Benitez said: "Ngog did a very good job; he scored an excellent goal, and that gave him confidence.
"Benayoun too was excellent, while we needed Jose Reina to make a very good save before we had scored.
