Rafa Benitez: Hopefully I can keep Liverpool fans happy, but I have to be calm

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Rafa Benitez last night hailed Yossi Benayoun's match-winning goal as "potentially the most important of the season."

The Reds' supersub smashed home the injury-time shot that took Liverpool two points clear at the summit of the Premier League.

The pressure is now mounting on champions Manchester United to beat Aston Villa today to reclaim top spot.

Benitez said: "We worked so hard and everybody is happy. What we have is confidence, the confidence to keep going. At half-time, we just said to keep things going and we could still win. It was an important goal at an important time."

Benitez showed a rare display of emotion, leaping in the air at the final whistle

He added: "I haven't seen myself yet, but it was a very, very important goal at a crucial time.

"The physical condition of the players has been very important and allowed us to keep going right until the end of games and to score late goals."

Fans in Liverpool's travelling army chanted: "We're going to win the league," and Benitez said: "Hopefully, I can keep them happy but I have to be calm."

Benitez picked his team based on the travel and injuries of his internationals, and concedes selection for the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea on Wednesday will be difficult.

"After the travel last week and this game at Fulham, I have people who are really tired," he said.

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