LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez admitted he was relieved to face French club Toulouse in the Champions League third qualifying round because he did not want a gruelling trip deep into Europe.

Benitez's side were handed a relatively short trip to Toulouse for the first leg in two weeks time after Friday's draw.

The Anfield club could have faced an energy-sapping visit to Spartak Moscow, so Benitez was happy just to cross the English Channel.

"I'm happy with the draw for two reasons," he told Liverpool's website.

"Firstly, the travelling won't be a problem, and secondly, the second leg will be at Anfield in front of our supporters.

"After travelling to Hong Kong, Switzerland and Rotterdam (for pre-season friendlies), the last thing we wanted was a long trip."

Toulouse finished third in the French league last season and Benitez insists he will not underestimate Elie Baup's team.

"Toulouse are a good side with some good players," Benitez, currently with the Reds in Rotterdam, said.

"The French league is of a high standard and so this won't be an easy game.

"When we return from Rotterdam we will start our reports on Toulouse. We have some information at the moment but we'll have to do some more work when we get home."

Baup was thrilled with the idea of facing the Premiership giants.

"It's fantastic to play last season's finalists even if it's a bit of a shame that the first leg is in Toulouse," the French club's coach said.

"We're going to discover a mythic stadium (at Anfield) and huge players and for our younger players it will be a great occasion.

"These two games will help us to grow. We don't have a major chance of qualifying but we'll be giving everything to try to go through."

Toulouse captain Nicolas Dieuze added: "Football is full of surprises and I hope we'll be the surprise package of August."