Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has scoffed at the wailing from Real Madrid and their supporters in the media over their victory in Spain. "I know what they have been saying and writing and I am really happy about it," he said. "Really happy, because it just confirms what I already knew, that we did a very good job over there.

"I don't care how I am perceived in Spain. All that concerns me is making sure I am doing the right things for Liverpool to the best of my ability.

"Of course, I want us to play well and in a way that is good to watch, but the priority is to win. The correct order is to win and then to play well if you can.

"Let's see how Real approach it now they have a job to do. I don't think they will throw everything at us from the beginning, but clearly they are going to have to attack. But it's not always as simple as that. Sometimes, in the modern game, clever people can make the difference, players who can understand and adapt if you have to change things.

"You have to have a plan B or C up your sleeve and we have shown in Europe that we have players who are capable of putting that into practice when needs be."