Boss: That result sets us up nicely
Brendan Rodgers was able to reflect on a productive evening for Liverpool after they secured an advantage without conceding a goal in their Europa League first leg against Besiktas.
The Reds had control for much of the opening meeting of the last 32 tie with the Turkish league leaders, though the contest appeared to be heading for a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
But Jordon Ibe's forceful dribble yielded a late penalty that Mario Balotelli swiped into the bottom corner, thereby earning a win on the night and a lead in the encounter.
The manager was satisfied by the manner of the result - with a clean sheet preserved notably by Simon Mignolet's stop from Demba Ba - ahead of a return fixture in Istanbul.
Rodgers said at his post-match press conference inside the stadium: "It was an excellent result and performance. It was always going to be a tight game.
"Besiktas came here with big confidence and I believe they have scored in every away game they have played this season.
"So it shows you the level of our defensive organisation that we kept a clean sheet. Simon had a really good save in the first half, an outstanding save it was.
"On top of that, we created chances. We worked the ball much quicker in the second half. It sets us up perfectly, a great result for the second leg - a win and a clean sheet."
Ibe turned in another effervescent display for Liverpool, proving a constant menace to the visitors with a series of electrifying bursts down the wing.
It was one such surge that won the spot-kick for the Reds when he was sent crashing to the ground by Ramon Motta, having initially left the Besiktas defender trailing in his wake.
"You've seen the kid's performances since he's come back from his loan period and he is growing all the time," Rodgers enthused.
"He's played in big games and is getting good experience at 19. He is a real threat every time he has the ball.
"Not only that, but he works very, very hard for the team. He created the opportunity tonight for the penalty and it was an outstanding performance."
Next up for Liverpool is a trip to St Mary's to take on top-four rivals Southampton in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The Saints sit four points ahead of the Reds in the race for Champions League qualification, and Rodgers insists his side will be fully prepared for the clash despite their continental exertions this evening.
He added: "Tonight keeps the flow of our results and performance level. The players are very, very confident at the moment.
"Of course, Southampton will be another tough game for us, but we'll go away, recover, prepare for the game and we'll be ready come the weekend."