The FA Community Shield
3.00pm, Sunday 13 August 2006
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Listen Live with TheFA.com
Live on Sky Sports

Liverpool

2-1

Chelsea

Riise 9, Crouch 80

 

Shevchenko 44

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez felt today's victory over the Premier League champions would give his side increased confidence for the forthcoming season.

"At least it gives to us confidence in ourselves,'' he said.

"We know it was difficult to play against one of the best teams in the world and we have done a very good job and we have confidence for the rest of the season.

"I think the team worked really hard. We know they (Chelsea) have a lot of good players.''

Benitez sprang a surprise by leaving captain Steven Gerrard, Craig Bellamy and Xabi Alonso out of his starting line-up but he felt his selection was justified.

"This shows we have have a very good squad. We tried to use players that are fitter than the others and then bring on some of the bigger names. But I think in both halves we played well,'' he told Sky Sports.

"We can try to improve if it is possible but I am happy with the squad, although you can improve a little bit.

Liverpool striker Peter Crouch is also hoping his goal in the 2-1 Community Shield win over Chelsea today kick-starts a winning season for the Merseysiders.

Crouch scored the second goal to clinch victory at the Millennium Stadium and told Sky Sports: "The manager wants his players to improve and I want to improve as a player.

"I want to win things and this is a good start to the season. We hope it is going to be a good season.''

The England frontman added: "People say it's not important [to win the Community Shield] but you see the fans and the players and see it is important.''