RAFA FRUSTRATED AFTER SPURS SETBACK

Rafael Benitez reflected on the opening day 2-1 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur and admitted his team must improve.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto fired Spurs ahead with a fantastic strike but Steven Gerrard equalised from the penalty spot after superb play from debutant Glen Johnson. However, Harry Redknapp's charges got the all important goal when Sebastien Bassong headed home from a Luka Modric free-kick. The Reds' manager was unhappy with the first half display but felt his side showed more attacking threat in the second period. "We didn't play well, especially the first half, but we were much better in the second half," said Rafa. "We pushed harder and had more options in the final third, but clearly we have to improve if we want to win these kind of games. "We have to improve in the middle and keep the ball more and pass it better. The understanding has to be better. As a team we were not comfortable in possession in the first half. "We were playing against a good team so we knew we needed to play well. We didn't but we have another game on Wednesday against Stoke and we have to improve." Asked if he felt his side should have been awarded two late penalties, the Benitez admitted: "I think everybody could see, especially the challenge on Voronin. It was so clear. You could maybe say the second incident was ball to hand, but the first one was clear." Another worry for the boss was the fitness of centre halves Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher after the pair clashed heads in the first half. Carragher continued with a bandage around his head while Skrtel also tried to play on before eventually being replaced by Spanish youngster Daniel Ayala. Asked about Skrtel and Carragher's condition, Benitez added: "Martin wanted to continue. We were a little bit worried but he did well. We had to change him in the end because he had a problem. He has had stitches. "Carra also needed stitches so we will have to see how they are for Wednesday's game."