Rafael Benitez hailed the performance of Alberto Aquilani after the Italian claimed his first Liverpool goal in a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Portsmouth at Anfield on Monday night.

VIDEO: 4-1 in 90 seconds and analysis>>

The midfielder added the Reds' third goal in a rampant six-minute first-half spell, in which Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel were also on target - and Benitez was full of praise for the 25-year-old.

The boss told reporters at his post-match press conference: "I think it was a good game. We were trying to play well for the fans and score goals. It was an important game in an important week, so we are really pleased.

"It was really good for him (Aquilani) and for the team and he will have more confidence.

"We have seen a lot of players playing well tonight and that is good for me because I will have more problems and more of a (selection) headache.

"I think his performance shows he has quality, and we knew this before. Again I will say, there were some players playing really well tonight, and Aquilani was one of them."

Torres added a fourth for Liverpool 13 minutes from time before Nadir Belhadj netted a late consolation for Pompey.

However, it proved to be the only setback on an otherwise excellent night's work for the home side, who returned to winning ways after consecutive defeats to Wigan Athletic and Lille.

"Against Lille we showed character," continued Benitez. "We didn't play fantastic, but we had some chances and could have scored.

"Tonight we played well, the pitch was much better and the players could enjoy playing good football."

Benitez also highlighted the performance of Torres, who had a hand in all four goals and took his tally for the season so far to 15.

"I have said before he is a key player for us," he said. "He can score goals, is a threat for defenders, can create space for the players behind him and he is really important for us."

On Babel's encouraging performance, Benitez added: "Ryan was doing well in the last week in every training session. We gave him an opportunity and he did well, so I am also really pleased for him."

The gaffer opted to withdraw Torres, Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson from the action towards the end of the second half and admitted he was pleased to have an opportunity to rest some of his stars.

He said: "We had some players we needed to rest, maybe more than we did. We couldn't do all of them and I think the priority was maybe Glen, Stevie and Torres, and also to give an opportunity to other players."

Benitez also played down fears Javier Mascherano may have sustained a knock after he was spotted limping towards the end of the contest, insisting the Argentina captain was suffering from tiredness.

Meanwhile, the manager was quizzed by reporters on media speculation linking Liverpool with potential investment.

"I think today is a day to enjoy," he said. "There are a lot of people who can talk about this, but the main thing for me now is the team and in terms of the club, the best way for me to try to help is by winning games."