RAFA TRIBUTE TO KEY MAN KUYT

Boloni and Benitez clash on the touchline.

Rafael Benitez saw his Liverpool side, despite another worrying display, force their way into the group stages draw for the Champions League in Monaco.

After a 1-0 victory over Belgian champions Standard Liege, courtesy of Dirk Kuyt's extra-time winner, Benitez said: "Obviously there is some relief with the result.

"We knew it would be a difficult game against a quick, well-organised team.

"The positive was that we played a little better than recently, we want to win trophies but we also understand the need for money.

"I was delighted that Dirk Kuyt scored the goal. His work is tremendous, he keeps going right to the end and makes a tremendous contribution to our side."

Liege boss Laszlo Boloni said: "We are very sad after that result.

"Over two matches we have been the best organised team and we deserved better than to lose like that in the final minutes.

"We have produced a high standard in both matches, and now I hope that can be continued in our league matches and the UEFA Cup.

"I sometimes wondered whether the referee was effected by the fact that we were playing a big team. I felt we should have had a couple of penalties.

"But in the end we created a lot of good situations in both matches and did not make use of them."