Rafa full of praise for minnows who scared the life out of our stars

Rafa Benitez has paid tribute to the players of Havant & Waterlooville for giving his star-studded team of International players the scare of their lives in the Fourth-Round of this season’s E-On FA Cup.

“They will have fantastic memories after this game, the atmosphere was good and it was fantastic for them to be here. It was even better for them to score two goals at Anfield.” said the Spaniard.

“The FA Cup is like this, it’s a fantastic competition. You can see a team progressing through the rounds and playing at Anfield even though they are five divisions below. That’s how good, how amazing the FA Cup is.

“We knew they would work hard, we watched videos and knew they were a physically hard-working team but also we knew they couldn’t keep the high tempo going.” he added.

Havant’s manager Shaun Gale beamed with delight when asked to comment on his lads’ performance at Anfield.

“To come to Anfield and produce a performance of that magnitude, I’m immensely proud of the players, people laughed when we said we would come to Anfield and have a go. But we well and truly came and had a go. That’s the only way we can play. ” he said.

“We have had a fantastic run so for it to end at a stadium like this, you accept that.

“We frustrated them in the first-half but, unfortunately, in the end class has shone through.

“When you get a standing ovation from the whole ground on the final whistle, that sums it all up and the lads deserved it. It has been a fantastic achievement and I’m proud to be their manager.”  he added.