The Reds paid their tribute to murdered 11-year-old Rhys Jones before their 4-0 Champions League win over Toulouse, and manager Benitez hugged the boy's mother Melanie before the match and shook the hand of father Steve and elder son Owen, 17.

But Benitez also wanted to pass on his condolences to Sevilla football club back in his native Spain, who today saw wing-back Antonio Puerta die after he collapsed during a match at the weekend.

Benitez said: "Football must take a back seat when such tragedies happen. It was very emotional for me and all you can do at this point is offer your respect and support."

On tonight's match, Benitez said: "I was very pleased with the performance, we played well and you can see the competition now for places with players working to impress right to the end.

"I know Peter Crouch has been out of the last two games and he has now scored eight in his last 10 games in Europe. But if the team keeps winning and everyone else scores goals as well, I will be happy.

"I was able to bring in (Yossi) Benayoun, (Sebastian) Leto and Lucas (Leiva) for this game and they all did well.

"You can see the quality in every position. I have two players to chose from now for every place and the players know that.

"I now do not need to talk a lot about one or two star players all the time, I have players everywhere who want to play and have the ability to play."

Toulouse manager Elie Baup accepted his side had eventually been overrun, but was happy with much of their play.

He said: "For an hour, our plans went reasonably well with three at the back, and for our general play we deserved more. But with all that effort we still lost 4-0, it is very disappointing.

"We ran a lot but with Liverpool's technical quality and movement they made the ball run a lot. Their ability was hard to handle at times.

"There is a difference between the French league and the English league. Liverpool were fresh, fit and strong and it showed at the end of the match.

"We struggled once they got their second, they play in a far stronger league.

"Five years ago we were playing in the third division, now we are in the backyard of one of the greatest sides in Europe. We must learn the lessons and not concentrate on the defeat."

Crouch opened the scoring in Liverpool's 4-0 win and then admitted manager Benitez faces a "difficult" challenge keeping his squad happy.

Crouch started the third-round second leg clash against the French side as they completed a 5-0 aggregate victory in the tie but has been handed limited playing time in the Barclays Premier League.

Benitez faces a host of selection dilemmas after strengthening his squad in the summer and the England striker is not the only one who has found it hard to retain a starting place.

And with goals also coming from Dirk Kuyt (two) and Sami Hyypia, Benitez's decisions will not be any easier at the weekend when Liverpool face Derby.

Crouch told ITV1: "It's going to get difficult but as long as I get as many games as I'd like it's okay.

"It's important for us to progress to the next round but on a personal level it's nice to get a first goal (of the season)."

With Fernando Torres and Andriy Voronin both already on target for the Reds this season, Kuyt and Crouch face stiff competition for starting berths against the Rams but Crouch has faith in Benitez's selection strategy.

Asked if there was pressure on the pair tonight, Crouch answered: "I don't know, you could say we're fresher (because of the rest). We both worked well and the idea is to keep us all fresh.

"We're looking good and it was important that we started the season well.

"If we continue to progress the way we have - and all the new players have settled in well - we've got a great chance."