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LIVERPOOL FC: RAFA REFLECTS ON EURO EXIT

Rafael Benitez reflected on the Champions League semi-final defeat to Chelsea and felt Liverpool were unfortunate to lose to Avram Grant's men in extra-time.

/noticias.info/ Fernando Torres' goal gave the Reds hope when he cancelled out Didier Drogba's opener to send the match into another period of thirty minutes. However, Chelsea prevailed when Frank Lampard scored a penalty after Sami Hyypia had fouled Michael Ballack and Drogba scored his second just before the end of the first period.

A late goal from Ryan Babel came too little too late for Liverpool as Chelsea booked their ticket for Moscow for the all-England final against Manchester United.

"I think that we were very close," said Benitez. "They were playing well and we were playing well, especially in the second half.

"In extra-time we were much better but we then conceded a second goal and the third goal finished the game.

"When we scored I felt we had control of the game and we had two chances at the start of extra-time. We were in control of the game and creating chances. In these games always the small details make a difference.

"We were creating and not giving them an option but then at the end of the day they get a penalty and the third goal was the end for us.

"The players told me we should have had a penalty when Hyypia was fouled but that's something you cannot change now.

The Reds boss also revealed that injury forced him to substitute Torres in extra-time.

"Torres had problems with his hamstring," said Benitez.

Benitez also said he had no regrets about his pre-match comments concerning the antics of Drogba falling over too easily during matches.

"I don't think so," he responded when asked about any regrets. "When you are playing in the semi-final of the Champions League you are not thinking about any other thing as it's just to play as well as you can."

The boss also said he and the players had a visit from Co-Chairman Tom Hicks after the game.

"He said congratulations to the team for working really hard and it was a good comeback for the first goal," he added. "We were talking about positive things." notas_de_prensa_archivo