Capello blows his top as Liverpool dig deep

Liverpool's solid defensive display against Roma last night won praise from the Italian club's coach, Fabio Capello.

"We were outplayed for half an hour, and then got better. But there is a fine balance between the teams in this Champions' League group. It will go to the last game," Capello said after his side had been held to a goalless draw in the Olympic Stadium.

"Liverpool are one of the teams who can win the Champions' League. They are a fine side, one of the best in Europe, and by winning five trophies they have already shown their worth."

Phil Thompson, Liverpool's assistant manager, believes the result gives his side the confidence to go on and qualify from Group B.

"We were magnificent, in a difficult stadium against a fine team with massive passionate support. We can now go on and get through. We go into the winter break with a point and high hopes," he said.

"If we had lost it would have been very difficult, but with Barcelona drawing at home to Galatasaray, things are very tight and that was a good result for us.

"We dominated the first half and showed our defensive qualities in the second. We came in at half-time feeling that we had done really well and could have been two goals ahead.

"We knew and expected Roma, with all their qualities, were going to come out at us and improve and that's what they did.

"We could hear Fabio Capello in their dressing-room, he was very angry and was shouting at half-time. We could hear him through the wall. He wanted more from his team and that's what he got. But that was when we showed how well we can defend."