Rafa relief as Reds launch late dash for glory

He, after all, knows these remarkable players better than anyone. Knows that they have beaten Barcelona, AC Milan, Chelsea and Juventus. Knows that they can now go to San Siro next month and add another name to their illustrious list of scalps.

They take a precious advantage to Milan, and deservedly so, after yet another exceptional European display against a side, let us not forget, that had not been beaten for 29 games.

A side that sit so far clear at the summit of Serie A a third consecutive Italian championships already appears to be in the bag.

In Liverpool, however, they more than met their match, conceding the initiative from the very start and then losing a man, in the somewhat unfortunate Marco Materazzi, after 30 minutes. For the 55 minutes that followed they defended courageously and went some way to proving why they have been so dominant in their own domestic league.

But Liverpool are the masters of Champions League competition, not Roberto Mancini's side, and they finally made the breakthrough when Jermaine Pennant drove in a cross in the 85th minute than eventually fell to Dirk Kuyt, who beat Julio Cesar with a quite magnificent finish.

Given Inter's failure to score an important away goal, one would have been enough.

But in front of Fabio Capello, Steven Gerrard once again proved his worth. With less than a minute of normal time remaining he unleashed a trademark shot and suddenly Liverpool were in control of this second round tie.

Benitez will also recognise this as a glorious response after losing so meekly to Barnsley last weekend. In fairness to Inter, they did give a timely demonstration of why they had remained unbeaten for so long.

If they defended desperately at times they were also superbly organised, with Ivan Cordoba among the most impressive players on the pitch.

Not even the dismissal of Materazzi, which was a touch unfair given how little he did to earn his first booking, unsettled the determined Italians, their tactics frustrating opponents who simply could not turn possession into the precious currency of early goals.

Fernando Torres went closest in the 58th minute, forcing a fine save firm Julio Cesar.

One look at their bench had suggested this was indeed a strong Inter side. There was no room in Mancini's starting side for Vieira. No room for Luis Figo or Hernan Crespo.

It was the kind of list one would normally associate with Liverpool or any given domestic weekend but Benitez let his big names loose last night and they certainly appeared keen to make a quick impression.

Gerrard's ball-winning challenge on Esteban Cambiasso in the first minute set the tone and when the Liverpool captain then won a corner, the hosts were a little unfortunate not to win a penalty.

As Jamie Carragher quite rightly pointed out to the match officials, his shot was blocked by the arm of Cordoba. Liverpool continued to press, a rampant Gerrard forcing Cristian Chivu to collect the first yellow card of the evening before both Kuyt and Sami Hyypia threatened. Hyypia went particularly close, his header leaving Julio Cesar with no choice but to tip the ball over his crossbar.

Benitez might often be accused of taking too cautious an approach to matches but this Liverpool side had plenty of attacking options. With Kuyt and Ryan Babel deployed either side of Torres and Gerrard positioned in front of Javier Mascherano and Lucas, Liverpool's manager certainly appeared more adventurous than the Italians.

For a team running away with what is sure to be another Serie A championship, Inter appeared surprisingly pragmatic.

Perhaps it was because of their relatively poor record in Europe. Perhaps because they were only too aware of how successful their opponents have been in this competition. Whatever the reason, it was Liverpool who oozed confidence.

Liverpool who not only had an answer to Inter's every move but moved with far more fluency. Inter were having to defend desperately at times, Cordoba chopping down Torres and so conceding another free-kick. Frustratingly for Benitez, it was yet another free-kick that Gerrard would have been disappointed with.

The momentum nevertheless remained with last year's beaten finalists, and when Materazzi was dismissed for pulling back Torres and so collecting a second yellow card — after only 29 minutes — an opportunity suddenly presented itself.

Inter were in real trouble, losing possession whenever they dared venture into Liverpool's half and resorting to the most cynical tactics when their hosts came at them.

'Attack, attack, attack,' cried the Kop, sensing Inter's weakness. Liverpool were passing beautifully but finishing poorly, Babel wasting an excellent opportunity to strike when he sent a shot yards over. Sometimes it was a lack of intelligence that let Liverpool down. Gerrard made a terrific run into the box but Kuyt was far too slow to react.

But after the break they again dominated, so much so that Mancini sent on Vieira after 55 minutes in an effort to add yet more defensive strength.

Vieira was lucky not to concede a penalty for handball but it did not prove important as Kuyt and Gerrard struck.