Harry Redknapp was delighted to see Rafa Benitez field a weakened Liverpool team at Portsmouth, as Pompey kept up their European charge with a 2-1 win.Reds deputy Jerzy Dudek was at fault for Benjani Mwaruwari's opener before Niko Kranjcar doubled Pompey's lead.
Redknapp admitted it was a backs-to-the-wall performance after Sami Hyypia's second half goal had halved his team's arrears.
"Of course I was pleased to see the side Liverpool put out," said Redknapp.
"You are pleased not to be facing the likes of Gerrard and Carragher and Kuyt but he (Benitez) has finished with Pennant and Sissoko wide, Alonso and Zenden in the centre and Sami Hyypia is still a very good centre half.
"We've had some big home wins but we had to hang on a bit today in the second half when Liverpool used Bellamy and Fowler up front.
"Until they pushed Bellamy through the middle, though, I didn't think we had many problems."
The win means Pompey remain in seventh - a position that would be good enough to ensure automatic qualification for next season's Uefa Cup.
"It is still going to be very close. Tottenham are favourites for seventh spot with the game in hand and we have two tough games to finish [away to Everton and home to Arsenal]. Whatever happens it will be a great season for us."
By:Chris Stanton
Date:28 Apr 2007
Credit:www.skysports.com
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