Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has hailed his boss Rafael Benitez as "one of the best managers in the world" after the Spaniard's tactical dismantling of Champions League holders Barcelona.

Liverpool made the quarter-finals last night after beating Frank Rijkaard's side on away goals, despite a 1-0 defeat at Anfield. Afterwards Gerrard spelt out the togetherness in the camp and the trust the players have in Benitez.

Gerrard added: "We all have total respect and confidence in Rafa Benitez. He has shown he is one of the best managers in the world, and he shows it with the tactics he used in Europe.

"We always trust him to get it right, and he did it again this time.

"It was all about hard work, in both legs. The effort put in by everyone has been rewarded. We were unlucky not to go in ahead at half-time in the second leg.

"But Barcelona are so good going forward, they play such nice football, but we stuck in there and are in the last eight now.

"We have got great spirit, grit and determination — people were throwing bodies about — and that's one of the reasons we're through.

"This now gives us great confidence, going through against the best side in Europe over two legs."

Prior to the first clash with Barca a fortnight ago, it was Craig Bellamy's alleged brandishing of a golf club in a row with colleague John Arne Riise that threatened to splinter the team bonding Benitez had so carefully planned at a Portuguese training camp.

But Bellamy has salvaged his Liverpool career with a match-winning display in the Nou Camp, and a hard-running, selfless performance at Anfield last night.

"Over two legs usually the best team goes through and we were the best team. Did we prove people wrong? It wasn't an issue, not many of the critics get it right anyway," said the Welshman.

"But that is the beauty of the game. You never know what is going to happen.

"In a great competition like this against a great side like this we still had a chance. In the first half we hit the bar twice and really took the game to them.

"The second half was very difficult. They really stepped up a level and we were hanging on a bit."

He added: "It was an amazing occasion and the biggest night of my life. It was incredible when you consider the tempo and everything about the match. I have never experienced a game at this level.

"It is all about team spirit. When you come to a club like Liverpool, with what they have won like the European Cup the season before and then the FA Cup, it is all about spirit.

"There is always a great team spirit anyway. But when you arrive and mix with these players, you know it is a family club.

"You come in and you are all together. Against a team like Barcelona everyone has to contribute and that is what has happened.

"Now I will watch the other games tonight and see who goes through, see who we get on Friday in the quarter-final draw. But it is going to be a tough game, that's for sure."