Benitez hails the Premier League

Updated 10.22 Wed Mar 12 2008

Keywords: arsenal, manchester united, rafael benitez, chelsea, fernando torres, inter milan, liverpool, euroean cup, football, premier league, champions league, sport

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez praised the standard of football in the Premier League after steering his team into the quarter-finals of the European Cup.

Fernando Torres scored the only goal as Liverpool beat Inter Milan 1-0 in Italy to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory and they join Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United in the last eight.

"This victory shows the power and strength of the Premier League" - Rafael Benitez

Benitez said: "This victory shows the power and strength of the Premier League. We have fine clubs who are among the best in Europe, a league that is the same and players of quality who are some of the best in Europe."

The draw for the quarter-finals will be made on Friday and there is no seeding system, so the Premier League clubs could be drawn to play each other.

Benitez added: "I do not have any preference now who we play next, but I would be more than happy to face an English side in the final."

Inter coach Roberto Mancini made a surprise announcement after the game by revealing that he plans to leave the club at the end of the season.