Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has been forced to defend the club's scouting policy following his weakened side's Carling Cup exit at Tottenham. "Everybody was disappointed after the game because the performance of the team was not good enough, especially in the first half," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"Some players did not play well, so we can blame the manager for the team selection, blame the tactics and we can blame the players, but it is important to remember that it was the Carling Cup and a lot of teams have had problems in this competition in the past and will again in the future.

"We are at the top of the table and a lot of important players were rested to keep them fresh, so we used other players.

"It was a bad game and a bad result but you have to forget it as quickly as possible and start thinking about the Premier League, the Champions League and the FA Cup.

"We should also remember that the scouting department has signed Skrtel, Reina, Torres, Kuyt, Agger and Mascherano, who was struggling at West Ham but has come here and been amazing for us.

"All these players have come here and done a good job, so while you cannot guarantee that any signing will do well, these examples show our scouting department is doing a good job.

"For me, the future of the club is brilliant.

"The squad we have is a young squad and if they need more time to mature, we will give them more time."