Benitez praises Voronin

Rafael Benitez praised the growing contribution of new signing Andriy Voronin to Liverpool's pre-season programme after his telling contribution to today's 3-1 Barclays Asia Trophy win over South China in Hong Kong.

The Ukraine international, a free transfer from Bayer Leverkusen this summer, completed his first full 90 minutes for his new club in front of 36,000 fans.

He won a penalty, put away by Xabi Alonso, and produced a work rate in intense heat that impressed manager Benitez, who witnessed further goals from Daniel Agger and John Arne Riise.

Benitez said on Sky Sports 1: 'Voronin has started well for us. He has `game', intelligence and he has fitted well into the side.

'It is early for him, but we knew he was a very good player and, when you have better players around, normally you play better.'

Benitez also accepted second-choice goalkeeper Scott Carson could have done better with the first-half goal he conceded from fully 40 yards, while maintaining a `wait and see' stance in the saga over the possible signing of Manchester United full-back Gabriel Heinze.

Benitez added: 'Their goal was strange, Scott Carson was not expecting it, a shot from so far out that hard. It was a surprise, and I am sure he will be disappointed with that.

'As a keeper, when you concede any goal you are disappointed, but particularly when it is that kind of goal.

'I am sure he will bounce back from that, it is just one mistake, nothing important.'

On the Heinze situation, with Liverpool having had a £5.8million offer rejected by United, Benitez said: 'We sent in an offer for Heinze, and they rejected it. Now the lawyers have to talk. The agent has called in the lawyers, everybody knows the situation now all around the world.'

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has been critical of the part played in the proposed deal by Heinze's agent, with the player and Liverpool claiming a letter exists stating the defender can leave Old Trafford if anyone makes a £5.8million bid.

United do not want to sell to their biggest local rivals, and Benitez said: 'I would rather now wait and see what happens next.'

Liverpool play Portsmouth in the final on Friday, the Hampshire club having won their match 1-0 against Fulham.