You'll Never Walk Alone

LONDON (AFP) - Rafa Benitez insisted his ambitions for Liverpool stretch further than the League Cup after seeing his makeshift side thrashed 4-2 at Tottenham in the fourth round.

The Spaniard made 10 changes to the team which had flattened West Bromwich Albion the previous weekend, handing rare starts to the likes of Daniel Ngog, Damien Plessis and Lucas, but the policy backfired as Spurs ran riot at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.

The hosts and League Cup holders cruised to victory thanks to two goals apiece from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Fraizer Campbell, and while Liverpool mounted a fight-back of sorts after half-time, they were still well beaten.

It was a meek way for Liverpool's interest in this tournament - which they have won more regularly than any other side - to end but Benitez, while quietly fuming at the manner of his team's performance, maintained his priority remains the Premier League and Champions League.

"You have to use the players in this competition," he said. "You can't play all the players every game - people need to rest. The guys we picked are internationals, they have quality but we didn't play well.

"When you have two or three not playing well, it's hard for the others to keep their levels high. But the youngsters need to play more games like this, win some and lose them, and gain experience that way.

"I am very disappointed with the result and how we played but if the team goes to Bolton on Saturday in the league and wins, we will be at the top of the table and everyone will be talking about our priorities, which are the league and the Champions League."

The only bright point of an otherwise forgettable night for Benitez was a 55-minute cameo from Fernando Torres.

The Spanish striker was making his first appearance since October 5 after shaking off a hamstring injury and, while his performance did not suggest a striker fully match fit, at least he emerged unscathed.

Liverpool's capitulation began in the 37th minute, when Campbell scampered to the by-line and cut back to the unmarked Pavlyuchenko, who drilled through Diego Cavalieri's legs.

Campbell then swaggered into centre-stage himself, capitalising on confusion between Andrea Dossena and Cavalieri to collect Jamie O'Hara's lofted ball and casually roll it home, and then nodding in the midfielder's cross after being left inexplicably unmarked.

The defending was equally chaotic after the interval, although Spurs did their best to share the mistakes around.

Two Ryan Babel corners led to two identikit goals - the first headed in by Plessis in the 48th minute, the other by Sami Hyypia in the 63rd - while sandwiched in between was another routine strike for Pavlyuchenko, who converted Didier Zokora's cross from close range.

For Harry Redknapp, this thumping win maintained the momentum generated by his appointment last month.

Redknapp, who has appointed former Spurs and England forward Les Ferdinand as a part-time striking coach, was delighted at his team's display but insisted avoiding relegation remains his top priority.

"I should get out now - I've taken the club as far as I can!" Redknapp joked. "You have to enjoy the moment because we will have our ups and downs as the season goes on.

"This was great and it's nice to win, but Fulham away on Saturday is a massive game for me now - we need points to get up that table. I know how tight it will be this year and I think you'll need 40 points to be safe. We just have to keep the run going as long as we can."

Redknapp also confirmed that goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes, stretchered off here with an oxygen mask strapped to his face after being clattered by Philipp Degen, will be fit for the trip to Fulham.