The Verdict : REAL MADRID 0 - 1 LIVERPOOL

REAL MADRID 0 - 1 LIVERPOOL Wednesday 25 February 2009 19:45 , Champions League Last 16 (1)

REAL 0-1 LIVERPOOL: THE VERDICT Yossi Benayoun scored a late winner as Liverpool recorded a famous 1-0 victory at the Bernabeu. Here's the best of the post-match reaction. The local paper It was a case of many happy returns at the Bernabeu last night. And for Liverpool, a significant stride towards the quarter-finals of the Champions League. With that priceless away strike, Rafael Benitez's side are now firm favourites to finish off the job and reach the last eight when the teams meet for the second leg on March 10. Daily Post The national newspaper Rafael Benitez masterminded another magnificent European away triumph as Liverpool confounded the odds with a stunning 1-0 victory at Real Madrid. Benitez has coached Liverpool to remarkable performances away to Juventus, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan and Chelsea in recent seasons in the Champions League, but this was by far the most impressive. Daily Express The national newspaper It was not pretty but it was pragmatism personified, and against a Real team gripped by fear this was just the pick-me-up that the Merseyside club and their manager needed after a difficult couple of months. To limit Real at the Bernabeu to one notable chance spoke volumes for the control exhibited by Liverpool. The Times The broadsheet Crisis clearly brings out the best in Liverpool. Deprived by injury of their talisman, rocked by a day of frenzied speculation and their Premier League charge in shreds at their feet, they produced a majestic display of steel, determination and purpose to stun Real Madrid. Add the Bernabeu to Rafael Benitez's list of conquests. The Telegraph The player Of course I am really pleased to score at the Bernabeu but the most important thing was to get the victory. We're all really pleased because this is a fantastic result for us. It's a great win but we have to think that we still have one more game to play and look to complete the job at Anfield. Yossi Benayoun The boss I am really pleased - pleased for the players, the team, the club and for the fans. To win here in Madrid is very difficult and I think we did a very good job. The players were working so hard - they deserved to win. Rafael Benitez