We need to improve says relieved Rafa Benitez

"It was difficult and it was a strange game. We scored the goal but then they were attacking and we could only play on the counter attack.

"The game was too open and we had some problems against a team with pace and ability.

"We knew before the game they had good players and could be dangerous if we weren't controlling the game and keeping the ball.

"That was the situation. It was too open and they had space to run into.

"They were always a threat and were very offensive.

"They had three strikers and also one or two playing between the lines. To control five players with pace and ability is not always easy.

"We need to improve our possession. We need to keep it and the pass the ball better.

"It's something we have to analyse but the main thing today was winning and qualifying."

The Reds trail Group D leaders Atletico Madrid on goal difference and the battle for top spot will go down to the final game when the Reds travel to PSV Eindhoven on December 9.

However, Benitez insisted: "You never know if finishing top is important.

"One year, we finished first and lost to Benfica, but another year we finished second and beat Juventus."

Benitez had special praise for Gerrard, who is now the competition's joint top scorer with Barcelona's Lionel Messi on five goals.

The Reds skipper was also the target of some missiles thrown by the visiting fans.

"Gerrard is very professional and dealt with the incident well," Benitez said. "It's something the UEFA delegate may put in his notes.

"We know that Gerrard is an offensive midfielder with an attacking mentality. He is a very important player for us and his goal tonight proved that."

NOW LET'S FINISH AT THE TOP - KUYT

DIRK KUYT today challenged Liverpool to celebrate qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League in style by going on to top their group.

Steven Gerrard's first half headed goal was enough to give the Reds the win they needed over Marseille at Anfield to qualify for the knockout stages with a game to spare.

Liverpool currently lie second in Group D, level on points with fellow qualifiers Atletico Madrid but with a slightly inferior goal difference.

Kuyt is now looking for a positive result in Liverpool's final group game away to PSV Eindhoven on December 9 in the hope that that will be enough to take them through as group winners.

"It's always better to finish on top because it gives you a better feeling and it's good for the confidence of the team," said the Dutchman.

"It is still possible for us to finish top if we can get a better result in our final game against PSV than Atletico manage in theirs against Marseille.

"So that gives us a new target and something else to play for after making it through to the last 16 already and we have to look to win our own game.

"We know from past experience that you can be drawn against the best teams whether you finish top of the group or second in the group.

"The most important thing is that we are in the next round and we will have to see what comes. But we know there will be many good teams so we will have to wait and see who we get."

Rafa Benitez was critical of his team's performance in last night's victory over the French outfit, admitting he was unhappy with their failure to retain possession better than they did.

Kuyt agreed with his manager's view, admitting Liverpool's display could have been better but insisted getting the points needed to guarantee qualification was what mattered most.