Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has praised Dan Agger as he battles for a return to the first team.

"Daniel is a fantastic professional and so it's no surprise that he played so well," he told liverpoolfc.tv. "People may have watched the game and been surprised, but I wasn't. I see him every day in training and he's always the same, working hard and looking to improve.

"We knew he would react well and that is what happened. I also thought Sami played well on the night. We have four good centre backs and I am really pleased with all of them."