Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was pleased with his side's display against Blackburn, but admits he has been surprised by the latest conflict behind the scenes at Anfield.

The Reds ran out 3-1 victors over Rovers as second-half goals from Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin tightened their grip on fourth position.

And Benitez was full of praise for his men, hailing the impact of substitute Yossi Benayoun.

"We knew that it would be tough but we had to keep playing football," he told Sky Sports News. "We needed some quality and I think Benayoun provided us with that."

On Torres, who took his tally to 30 goals for the season, he said: "For the first year, we are really pleased with 30 goals."

On the latest twist at board level, which saw co-owner Tom Hicks ask for chief executive Rick Parry's resignation, he added: "I was surprised with some of the things that I have read.

"It is important for me to talk with the board and try and understand the situation, but we need to think about football.

"I will be talking with the board as soon as possible. I am surprised by what has happened the last few days."

The Spaniard continued, "We must be pleased because we knew it was a difficult game against a good team.

"We scored good goals so we must be pleased, particularly after the game against Arsenal when we worked really hard, played well and everyone was saying how good we were. It's not easy to keep the players ready for the next game, so that is the most positive thing.

"We now need to go to Fulham to try to win. If we win we'll be nearly there. The Champions League is always a distraction, so it's important we get qualification sorted as quickly as possible.

"We cannot say what will happen with Everton, but we are five points clear and that is important."