Liverpool triumphed in a 5-1 win at Anfield tonight in the third round of the FA Cup over Oldham Athletic.
"It showed they needed games. There was nothing wrong with their application, but they did lose a goal.
"You can train as much as you want, but you cannot replicate what happens on a football pitch. Everybody will be better off for the game."
Liverpool will find out who they face next in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Although the Lactics opened the scoring 28 minutes into the game with goal from 30 yards out by Robbie Simpson, Liverpool equalised shortly after with a ball into the lower corner of Oldham's net when Craig Bellamy deflected Jonjo Shelvey's shot.
Maxi Rodriguez was pushed in the box, allowing captain Steven Gerrard to take the penalty and the lead for the Reds before halftime.
Although in the second half, Oldham were as lively as they started in the first, nothing could become of it although Tom Adeyemi shined for the visitors.
Bellamy and Shelvey striked again when Shelvey got the goal this time from Bellamy;s assist, making it 3-1.
Two more goals came from substitutes Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing, his first since arriving from Aston Villa over the summer.
Manager Kenny Dalglish spoke after the match, explaining that some of player on the pitch tonight needed more time out there.
"It's a wee while since some of the players who haven't played as much as the others have had a game," the manager explained. "So it was important for us to give them a run out as well."It showed they needed games. There was nothing wrong with their application, but they did lose a goal.
"You can train as much as you want, but you cannot replicate what happens on a football pitch. Everybody will be better off for the game."
Liverpool will find out who they face next in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
