Liverpool season is still very much alive: Rafa Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has said that his team's season is still very much alive on two fronts, following their stunning defeat of Benfica.

Liverpool produced an outstanding performance at Anfield on Thursday night to overturn a 2-1 first-leg deficit and power into the Europa League semi-finals with a 4-1 victory over the Portuguese league leaders.

Dirk Kuyt and Lucas, both superb throughout, set up the victory with first-half goals before top scorer Fernando Torres struck twice, The Mirror reports.

With hopes of finishing fourth looking increasingly forlorn, the Europa League is now Liverpool's best hope of salvaging a disappointing campaign. Benitez is also not giving up on Champions League qualification.

Benitez said, "Hopefully we can play well, score goals, get closer to the top four and get to the final. We will try to win every game. We will try to do it against Fulham on Sunday and try to get close to the top four.

"If we can get to the final and win the final we will be very pleased. We have two targets now and we will try to do both."

The performance of Lucas was particularly pleasing given the low regard with which the fans hold the Brazilian.

Benitez said: "Lucas was involved in two goals and that is always important for the fans and people watching the game. I am really pleased with him in terms of effort in every game."