Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez hailed his side's character after their 2-0 defeat of Tottenham put them back in contention for a top-four finish.

The deserved win puts the Reds only a point behind fourth-placed Spurs despite a stuttering campaign so far.

Benitez said: "The key to the win was the character of the side, I think.

"We worked hard, created chances, and were strong in defence when we needed to be. We knew it was an important game but it'll be a long race for top four."

Dirk Kuyt proved the match winner, opening the scoring after six minutes and then wrapping up the win in injury time from the penalty spot.

It was no more than Liverpool deserved against a below-par Tottenham side, and will be a welcome three points to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Benitez.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett spoke out on Wednesday in support of the Spaniard, saying the Reds' form so far this season was "a blip", and the Merseysiders followed that up with a determined display.

PHIL McNULTY'S BLOG Spurs froze when presented with the opportunity to exert authority at the expense of one of their closest rivals

"It is positive to hear good things from the owner about the club, the players and the manager," said Benitez.

"We know we have not been at our best, but if we work like we did today we know we can beat anybody. We need to believe and have confidence."

Opposition manager Harry Redknapp, who conceded the better team had won the match, was left to bemoan a series of "off" performances from his key players.

"I was disappointed with us tonight, we've missed a good opportunity against a team not playing particularly well to get a big result," stated.

"Too many of our players were below par, but credit to Liverpool because they pressed us, made it difficult for us, and never let us play."

Tottenham's best chances, a Pepe Reina save from Luka Modric aside, fell victim to the officials' decisions as a Jermain Defoe strike was harshly ruled out for offside, while Peter Crouch appeared to be pulled down by defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos in the box but no penalty was given.

But Redknapp refused to use those incidents as excuses, saying: "Neither of those went our way, but then you have to make things go your way.

"Kyrgiakos has definitely pulled Crouch down in the box and Jermain's 'goal', well, I don't think even the officials knew why they disallowed it in the end.

"That's not why we lost, though. Liverpool deserved to win tonight.

"Saying that, I never seem to get a decision from (referee) Howard Webb, I have to be honest."

And Redknapp also insisted his side's bid for a top-four finish remains on track, saying: "We're still right in the race, a point ahead of Liverpool.

"We've come a long way in 12 months - this time last year we were only outside the bottom three on goal difference - and we have a long way to go, too.

"I still think we can do it (finish in the top four), but Liverpool, Manchester City and Aston Villa will think they can do it too.

"We need to push on now, put this behind us, and keep making progress as a team."

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