Benitez happy to take on all-comers

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Reds sealed a second-placed finish in Group A thanks to a stunning victory at the Stade Velodrome, courtesy of first-half goals by Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and strikes after the break by Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel.

They will face one of the giants from Italy or Spain in the last 16, but Benitez said: "It doesn't matter who we play now. All of them are good sides but we are just enjoying ourselves. These are good times for us at the moment. We are playing well and with confidence - it's not a problem who we play against now."

He added: "My team is growing and playing better every week. I am happy with the way we are attacking and defending."

It was the first time Marseille have lost to an English team at home in Europe, and means the Merseysiders have now scored 16 goals in their last three Champions League games.

With a planned meeting with club owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett coming up this weekend, Benitez would have been hoping for a good performance and a victory to take into the talks.

He got both, the Reds dominant in every department as Marseille imploded following the concession of a third-minute penalty scored by Gerrard.

Benitez admitted performances of this kind made him "proud" to be Liverpool's manager.

He added: "I was not thinking about the meeting. I must simply try to do my job. You could see the players, supporters, everyone were together. Everyone wants to win and we should talk about that, not the meeting.

"I am always confident - you can see that the players and supporters are happy, and this is good for the future of the club."