“I was convinced it was a goal,” Benitez said.

“And after that Kuyt had the rebound but it was well blocked.

“We could have won the game because we had the chances in the second-half and we were pushing and attacking all the time. But we could have lost because they had one or two chances on the counter-attack.

“If you analyse, the game was too open near the end but we had plenty of possession. The team played much better in the second-half.”

Benitez defended his decision not to bring on Alberto Aquilani and revealed he expects the Italian to make his first start for the club against Fiorentina on Wednesday night.

“We were thinking about giving him some minutes but the problem was which player to take off,” he said.

“We had balance in midfield and we were concerned we might lose control.

“It was a difficult and tough game and when a player doesn’t have match fitness to put him on the pitch in that situation is a risk.

“I know he can only get match-fitness from playing. He was ready to play with the reserves the other day but the game was postponed.

“He will have his chance against Fiorentina. At home with our fans it will be easier for him.”