And Benitez said there was no question of the Spaniard being rested last night, while hailing his clinical eye for goal.

“It wasn't a big decision to play him,” said the Liverpool manager. “He had some problems with ankle more than his groin. He is working very hard with the fitness coach and the physios, and today he was okay.

“We knew when we signed him that he was a very good player with a good mentality. You could see that he has a chance and he has scored.”

Liverpool's win was only their fourth on their Premier League travels this season, and Benitez added: “We knew we had to win if we wanted to reduce the gap. The team was working really hard and you could see everyone was together. Sometimes we have had some really bad luck, but tonight we scored a late goal and we are really pleased for Fernando and the team and the club.

“It's easier now for our confidence because we have won. I have always said that if players like Mascherano, Torres, Gerrard, Carragher and Agger can get to their level, then we can challenge for the top four.

“We were playing against a team with a lot of confidence and we had to work hard. The conditions were really bad, especially in the first half but little by little we were more in possession.

“Wewere trying to win the game from the beginning to the end.”

Liverpool were indebted to a fine first-half save from Pepe Reina from Stewart Downing to remain level, although they should have been awarded a penalty when Richard Dunne fouled Dirk Kuyt.

“Reina is a fantastic keeper,” said Benitez. “When you have a top class player in a top side you know he has to be good in one or two situations, and when they came he was really good.

“And it was a clear penalty.”

The one downside of the evening was a knee injury to Glen Johnson after a challenge on Gabriel Agbonlahor. The right-back left the ground on crutches with Liverpool assessing the damage at Melwood today.