Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to field reserves against Tottenham on last night, insisting there is enough strength in depth in his squad. While Arsenal's youngsters looked ready for the top flight when they booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-final earlier in the week, Benitez's second-string struggled at White Hart Lane and were defeated 4-2.

"They are internationals and have quality, but we didn't play well," said Benitez. "I think they can still do well. When you have two or three not playing well, though, it's difficult for the others to keep up their levels.

"The young players need to play more games like this - win some games, lose some games, gain some experience."

Liverpool remain second in the Premier League but there will now be doubts if Benitez's squad players are ready to step in when suspensions and injuries

"If the team goes to Bolton and wins, we'll still be top of the table and everyone will be talking about our priorities," added the Spaniard. "We're disappointed because I want to win every game. We had a lot of quality in that team and wanted to win. But you have to think about priorities.

"The Champions League and the Premier League are the priorities. After that, the FA Cup."

Spurs sealed their place in the last eight after two goals apiece for Roman Pavlyuchenko and Fraizer Campbell - strikers who have so far been overshadowed by Darren Bent since Harry Redknapp's arrival as manager.

"A lot of the heads were down, he's come in and stroked their egos a bit," said Campbell on Sky Sports 1.

Liverpool scored through Damien Plessis and Sami Hyypia, with Spurs seeing out the final 20 minutes despite having goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes carried off on a stretcher after a blow to the head.

The injury looked serious at the time but the Brazilian did not need to go to hospital and was able to talk to his team-mates after the win.

It means Redknapp, who was celebrating the birth of his grandchild Beau earlier this week, is still unbeaten as Spurs boss.

"The run will come to an end at some point, that's for sure," he said. "The morale's great. They're all enjoying it. It's easy when you're winning.

"That's why we want to keep this run going. We're going well. We've got a big chance, here. But we have to keep going - we need league points."