DEFIANT Rafael Benitez has backed his Liverpool players to progress to the Europa League quarter-finals despite disappointing defeat in France.

Eden Hazard’s freak free-kick six minutes from time earned Lille a 1-0 win in last night’s round of 16 first leg.

Liverpool had earlier missed a clutch of chances to score a precious away goal before Hazard’s curling delivery from the left wing evaded everyone before beating Pepe Reina.

And although bemoaning his side’s profligacy, Benitez is confident there were enough signs to suggest his team can overcome the one-goal deficit in the Anfield return next Thursday.

“We needed to be more clinical,” said the Liverpool manager.

“Especially when you play away in knockout competitions, you have to score. It’s a great advantage if you can score away.

“We had two or three situations where we could have scored. It’s a pity. But we have to be positive because our reaction was really good and we still have 90 minutes to play.

“I have confidence that we can beat anyone on a good day at Anfield with the fans behind us. I would be worried if the players were not working as hard as they could do tonight.”

Benitez added: “The fans will have seen this and be behind the team next week.

“It depends on the first few minutes. If you play well and score an early goal you can manage the game.

“If we work as hard as today and work with the same mentality as a team, we can beat anyone.”

The result represented Liverpool’s second defeat inside four days after their 1-0 Premier League setback at Wigan Athletic on Monday night.

But having publicly criticised the character and attitude of his players in the wake of the surrender at the DW Stadium, Benitez praised the response of his players in France.

“It was an improvement form the last game,” said the Anfield manager. “The players’ reaction was very positive. We are disappointed about the result but really pleased with the effort of the players.

“The attitude of the players was fantastic and that’s the way it should be. We couldn’t let the fans down in terms of team effort, and I don’t think we let them down.”