UEFA's complicated ranking system has Liverpool as the number one side in the Champions League over the past five years - and that will only be enhanced by the 4-0 hammering of Real Madrid in the last-16 second leg at Anfield, to secure a 5-0 aggregate win and a place in the quarter-finals.

Benitez knows he is never considered as an attacking coach.

But two goals from Steven Gerrard, and one each from Fernando Torres and Andrea Dossena, suggested otherwise.

He said: "Yes, I know people in Spain think that my teams do not attack, but look at this result and look at the 119 goals we scored last season. That says something different.

"We are ranked the number one club in Europe and a result like this against a great club like Real Madrid is very pleasing."

He added: "We played really well from beginning to the end, and I am really pleased for the fans.

"Why are we so good in Europe? I cam only say that we approach European games with confidence and in the right way.

"Torres and Gerrard played very well, but I do not like to talk about one or two players, everyone was very good, from the first to the last on the pitch.

"They were expecting us to play deep and play on the counter-attack, but we were on top of them right from the start and they never really recovered from that opening spell.

"The last five years this team has been very good in Europe, we have shown that continually. Our fans appreciate that and understand what we have achieved."

Now Liverpool face an equally tough trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

Benitez said: "We have an important game next, but we have played well, scored four goals and are very confident. That is the best way to prepare for such a game.

"It was important for us to play that well, but we are now facing a very good team and we must win to close the gap at the top.

"We have a few days to enjoy this result and make sure we are positive and prepared properly for the game at Old Trafford."

Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos was deflated by the crushing defeat.

He said: "We are very disappointed and it is sad that we are out and we are obviously not happy with the result.

"We conceded two early goals, and I had my doubts about both. There looked to be a foul for the first and the penalty was not clear at all.

"But Liverpool were excellent and deserved to go through. They were too good on the night and there is no point in denying that, they deserved to go through.

"We tried all we could, but the way the goals came so early, it made the game complicated as soon as we went two behind."

And the former Tottenham chief added: "We can still win the Spanish title, even after this disappointment, they are two totally different competitions.

"We will carry on with every hope of catching Barcelona in the league and we will be trying very hard in what is left of the season.

"As for this tie, the fact that Liverpool went ahead early made it very difficult. Liverpool were just better on the night."

Ramos, on a short-term contract as manager of Real, was questioned over the likelihood of that deal being extended after such a humiliation.

But he said: "Personal issues will be discussed at the end of the season, they are not for now as far as my future is concerned.

"I cannot talk about the previous four years that Madrid have not progressed beyond this stage, but we have not done so this season because Liverpool were better than us.

"We must concentrate on the next competition, we must make a huge effort to catch Barcelona now to restore some pride to the season.

"We will train tomorrow and prepare for the challenge ahead, that is all we can do now."