LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to omit Robbie Keane from the starting XI in Sunday's thriller against Manchester City.

Eyebrows were raised when Keane was benched against City after scoring his first goal for the Reds in their midweek Champions League win over PSV Eindhoven.

The Irish forward, who initially struggled after his summer switch from Tottenham Hotspur, seemed to have finally found his touch with a match-winning display against Everton the previous weekend

And his absence was noticeable at Eastlands as the Merseysiders fell two goals behind in the first half.

Liverpool ran out 3-2 winners thanks to Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt, but some pundits have nonetheless taken Benitez to task over his decision to drop Keane.

The Spanish tactician explained: 'City have players with pace and a lot of skill so we were trying to control this in the middle of the park and give freedom to (Steven) Gerrard.

'It wasn't bad but we made some mistakes. In the second half, the attitude changed and everything was different.

'Against good teams, it's always important to do the right things and we know we can beat anyone.

'They are a good team with a lot of good players and a good manager, so the belief of our players was the key.'

Liverpool's second-half display would seem to at least partially justify Benitez's tactics, as the likes of Gerrard and Xabi Alonso exerted their considerable influence on the game.

Dominance

The Reds' dominance after the break was highlighted when City defender Pablo Zabaleta was sent off for raising his studs in a desperate bid to win the ball from Alonso.

'Xabi is okay,' added Rafa.

'It was a clear red card, no doubt about this and very clear.

'At this point, we were controlling the game and were on top of them.

'We were creating chances and we were better than them.'

The win means Liverpool maintain their unbeaten record this season.

They currently sit second in the Premier League standings, trailing Chelsea on goal difference.

PA Sport