Benitez salutes Liverpool belief

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed the character of his side after their dramatic Champions League quarter-final victory over Arsenal.

"I was delighted with the belief, particularly in the second half," he said after the 5-3 aggregate win.

"When we went to 2-2 so near the end, my players showed tremendous character and desire to get up off the ground to win the tie.

"We had been so poor before the break, but so much better in the second half."

Arsenal led early on through a Abou Diaby strike until goals from Sami Hyypia and Fernando Torres put Liverpool in control.

But when Emmanuel Adebayor made it 2-2 seven minutes from the end it looked like the Gunners were going through on away goals.

However, the Reds finished the stronger of the two sides and a Steven Gerrard penalty and a Ryan Babel breakaway goal ensured their progress.

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They will meet Chelsea in the semi-finals for the third time in four years.

Benitez added: "It was a tremendous game for our fans, there were six goals and we played so well.

"I hear Steven Gerrard has said it was a poor game by him, but I was satisfied. He scored a crucially important penalty for us when it really mattered, that was positive from him to take it so well."

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