Benitez delighted to silence critics
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez believes the Reds' 3-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday proves he has not adopted more negative tactics this season.
Two goals from Fernando Torres, taking his tally to seven in four matches and 18 in 21 Premier League appearances, either side of Glen Johnson's deflected strike, secured an eighth successive home league win.
What was more impressive, however, was the opening 45 minutes in which Liverpool destroyed Sunderland with a high-tempo, attacking game.
It would not have flattered the Reds had they been six goals to the good at half-time instead of the 2-0 scoreline they had to settle for.
Centre-back Daniel Agger had three good chances, Maxi Rodriguez's near-post header was tipped over by goalkeeper Craig Gordon while Torres also hit the post and then bundled the rebound wide.
It left the always difficult to please Benitez more than satisfied as he felt it justified his much-criticised tactics.
"Always you try to do your best and play a bit better," he said.
"But today we started with a really high tempo, passing the ball well and scoring an early goal always helps," he said.
"With the same tactics we scored more goals than anyone in the Premier League last year and more goals than anyone in England two years ago.
"It is a question sometimes of accuracy, pass completion or just a little bit of luck."
Benitez paid tribute to the quality of Torres' strikes but the exacting manager stressed his star striker could still get better.
"It (the first) is one of Fernando's better goals but also, with the second one, sometimes it is not just a good strike but to do the right thing at the right moment," he added.
"For me both goals were good."
A return to top goalscoring form will no doubt have pleased Torres, who missed five weeks of the season after a knee operation in January, but he has continually stressed that the club need investment in players to keep him happy.
Benitez said his - and his players' - main concern was to secure Champions League qualification.
"At this moment the main thing for all of us is to try to play well and win games and we will be closer to the top four," added the Reds boss.
"We know we have to keep going. You can see the players have confidence and if we play at this level we will win more games for sure.
"That is the best way for the manager, the staff and players to move forward so we will try.
"We are working behind the scenes to improve things for the future but now it is best to concentrate on football."
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce was honest enough to admit his side had been totally outplayed.
"Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say you were beaten by a far better team," he said.
"They got off to a wonderful start and when Torres and Steven Gerrard are in the mood then it becomes very difficult.
"Sometimes you have to take a beating, hold your hands up and say you have been beaten by a very good Liverpool team."
Bruce felt the form Torres was in he was unstoppable.
"It's a wonder goal the first one," added the Black Cats boss.
"We all know he is a class act when he plays like that. He is a fantastic centre-forward and it was his day today.
"He'll take some stopping."