Benitez backs humiliated players

Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez refused to criticise his team's efforts despite the fact they crashed out of the Carling Cup at Crystal Palace.

"You cannot attack the players if they work hard. We started the game well," he said after Tuesday's 2-1 defeat.

"I know we lost the game, but the team worked hard and created opportunities.

"We made some mistakes in defence, and that is the reason we lost this match. And even though we made chances, we failed to take them."

Benitez questioned his players' attitude after the weekend defeat at Fulham.

We didn't try to shut up shop and we were really competitive Iain Dowie, Palace boss

But despite storming down the tunnel after watching his side outplayed in the second half having gone in at 1-1, he refused to criticise his team, even his goal-shy strikers.

Spaniard Fernando Morientes was particularly wasteful but Benitez believes he and Peter Crouch will soon start to fire.

"The strikers will score goals, because they have quality and they are working hard," Benitez added.

"Harry Kewell and Fernando Morientes are lacking match fitness, which will come with playing games.

"People might say it was a mistake to use inexperienced players like Darren Potter, Zak Whitbread and David Raven, but I have a squad and I try to use it."

One plus point for Liverpool was the goal-scoring return of skipper Steven Gerrard, and Palace boss Iain Dowie insists it is only a matter of time before things start to click for the Reds.

"I expect Liverpool to be in the top four by the end of the season," he said.

I think there will be changes in January From IF Have your say on 606

"When their key players come back, I expect them to go on a long unbeaten run. They had Steven Gerrard back tonight, and they will improve as he gets fitter."

And Dowie believes Liverpool came up against an inspired Eagles outfit who put in one of their best displays in his 22 months at Selhurst Park.

"It was definitely our best home performance of the season," he added.

"Our display was very, very good. We didn't try to shut up shop, and we were really competitive.

"Ben Watson and Tom Soares were excellent in midfield, as were Michael Hughes and Marco Reich."