Apart from a new frustration in the 1-1 draw against Stoke City, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said he was very pleased with the performance of its targeted at the Britannia Stadium.

“The most important of today, with some key players out, was to demonstrate that we had character and reaction,” the Spanish at a news conference.

“The players were fantastic and worked very, very hard. The fans appreciate that and supported us from the first minute. I am grateful for the team’s performance and I think we did enough to merit the win.

“In football things always happen like today, when everything is against you. The only way to escape it is to work very hard.”