Pompey's Benjani Mwaruwari and Niko Kranjcar cashed in with first-half goals against a Liverpool side lacking Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Jose Reina and Dirk Kuyt to name but a few.

Liverpool's only reply came from Sami Hyypia's second-half header but Benitez, who left out seven stars from the 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, was unrepentant.

"The important thing for me was to rest some players and use the squad," the Spanish boss.

"It's clear the Champions League is the priority. We have such an important game on Tuesday. How many times can you play a final of the Champions League?

"I wanted to make sure we can play a fully-fit, first-choice team against Chelsea and my focus is entirely with my players. I don't want to talk about Chelsea or what they might think.

"We feel we can score at least one goal at home in the second leg, (Didier) Drogba was the difference for Chelsea in the first game. We controlled things but couldn't manage to stop him

"On Tuesday we will try to do the things we did earlier in the season when we beat Chelsea 2-0. We will play with passion and desire and maybe use another `player' - our supporters."

Speaking about today's game, Benitez said: "We gave away two silly goals after making a good start in which we controlled the game. Portsmouth have some very experienced players and took full advantage of our mistakes.

"But the second half was much better. We showed we have other players who have character and strength. Robbie Fowler's movement is still very good and Sami Hyypia did very well.

"We will see what happens on Tuesday. They may both be involved in the team."

Benitez handed a debut to on-loan Argentinian Emiliano Insua at left-back and gave rare chances to centre-back Gabriel Paletta and goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

But Dudek's hesitancy cost the first goal when Benjani headed a long clearance by David James past him in the 27th minute.

Then Kranjcar, who had come on as a substitute for the injured Matt Taylor, slotted the second four minutes later when Liverpool's offside trap collapsed.

Liverpool switched from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 in the second half but Craig Bellamy and Fowler could not penetrate the Portsmouth defence after Hyypia's reply from a corner as the home side held on comfortably for a win that puts them into seventh place.

That position will be good enough to put them in the UEFA Cup next season but Reading, two points behind, are at home to Newcastle and Spurs, who have a game in hand and are just behind on goal difference.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp said: "It is still going to be very close. Tottenham are favourites for seventh spot with the game in hand and we have two tough games to finish (away to Everton and home to Arsenal)."

But Redknapp, whose side have already beaten Manchester United at Fratton Park, and drawn at Liverpool and Arsenal, said: "Whatever happens it will be a great season for us.

"We've had some big home wins but we had to hang on a bit today in the second half when Liverpool used (Craig) Bellamy and Fowler up front.

"Until they pushed Bellamy through the middle, though, I didn't think we had many problems.

"Of course I was pleased to see the side Liverpool put out. You are pleased not to be facing the likes of Gerrard and Carragher and Kuyt but he (Benitez) has finished with Pennant and Sissoko wide, Alonso and Zenden in the centre and Sami Hyypia is still a very good centre half.

"Benjani and Kranjcar took their goals well and we need more from other parts of the field with Kanu still on 12."