Rafa happy with Alonso performent

Rafa Benitez believes Xabi Alonso is nearing his best form after his midfield masterclass helped Liverpool to a 2-0 victory over Bolton.
The Spanish ace won Liverpoolfc.tv's man of the match for his performance at the Reebok as goals from Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt saw the Reds leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the league. Asked if Alonso was playing his best football since arriving in England, Benitez replied: "Clearly he is playing well. "He played really well in his first year too. Okay, now he has more confidence and the players around him are maybe better too, like Gerrard and Javier Mascherano. "It makes it easier for a midfielder when they have good movements of people like Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane in front." Benitez knew it was vital for Liverpool to respond to their midweek Carling Cup exit and was happy with the performance of his team after making nine changes. He added: "We worked really hard and played really, really well in the first half. We were under pressure in the second because they were pushing and being more physical. But the question was to finish the game with a second goal and we did. "It could have been more but a 2-0 win away to Bolton, who have been doing well in the last two games, is good. "It's important for us and our fans. We were not very happy after losing in the Carling Cup but the team did well and we are really pleased to be top." The game was full of squandered opportunities for both sides, and Bolton had a goal disallowed for an apparent obstruction on Pepe Reina just before half-time. Benitez said: "There is a rule that says the six-yard box is for the 'keeper, so if you have three players around the 'keeper and he cannot get to the ball, it's obstruction and it's an indirect free-kick. It's very clear that these are the rules. "These are the international rules and I have said this since I arrived here."
* artical from www.liverpoolfc.tv