Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez felt his team could take many positives from their 2-1 Carling Cup defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

Only Dirk Kuyt, the Reds captain for the night, remained from the Liverpool side which had beaten Manchester United - although there was a welcome substitute appearance for £20million summer signing Alberto Aquilani, who played for the final 14 minutes.

Indeed, the Italian, coming back from a broken ankle, could feel somewhat hard done by not to have won a penalty in stoppage time when his overhead kick appeared to hit defender Philippe Senderos on the arms.

"There were a lot of players showing passion, character and quality on the pitch, and Aquilani was one of these players," said Benitez."

"He has the quality, but he needs to improve his match-fitness. You can see he can pass the ball in the final third, he can make a big difference. He gets closer every day, but still has to improve his match-fitness.

"It's a question of time. I think that he will be an important player for us. We want to push him, but we cannot push too hard as we know that will be a risk."