Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was delighted with his fringe players after their victory over PSV Eindhoven.

A comfortable 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in the final Champions League Group D match means Benitez has now won 40 games in Europe as Liverpool manager, surpassing Bob Paisley's previous mark of 39.

Ryan Babel's first-half equaliser to cancel out Danko Lazovic's opener was also Liverpool's 300th goal in the European Cup.

Liverpool pipped Atletico Madrid for top spot in the group and have now gone eight group matches unbeaten.

Albert Riera and David Ngog scored classy second-half goals which sent PSV tumbling out of Europe, unable even to qualify for the UEFA Cup.

Benitez was able to enjoy the second half, giving European debuts to three locally produced youngsters, Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly.

Benitez said: "We wanted to win the group to make sure that we had the second leg of the next round at Anfield.

"And there were so many positive things to take from this performance. We were able to use three young lads, and the performances of two other young players, Lucas and Ngog, were outstanding.

"We were able to make a lot of changes and all the players coming in did well.

"Diego Cavalieri in goal was very good, Ryan scored a fine goal and worked hard throughout."

The victory gave Liverpool their highest points tally ever in a Champions League group stage, and Benitez added: "Once we had got level we were always a threat.

"I was very pleased with the overall performance, we are always able to say that people like Jamie Carragher, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger have played well.

"But this time we are able to say that about young lads and many of our squad players.

"We have won the group and that gives us growing confidence. We will now be drawn against a team who have finished second in their group, and we cannot play the other English sides at the next stage.

"I can only hope for a good draw next week and look forward to a second leg in front of our own fans in the next round."