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| NEWS STORY |
RAFA ON JAVIER'S INJURY AND RESTING PLAYERS
Jimmy Rice
07 March 2008
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Rafa Benitez has revealed he may consider resting some players this weekend ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.
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To watch the press conference click here>>
Here's what he had to say on that and the week's other issues at his pre-Newcastle press conference.
What's your injury news, Rafa?
Finnan and Mascherano are not fit, and Voronin and Agger are very close but not yet.
Fill us in on the extent of the Mascherano injury?
We don't know exactly. It's a dead leg but we don't know yet if he will be available for Inter.
Great for you to move into fourth after that win on Wednesday. How do you view that race for fourth now?
We know it will be difficult but it depends on us now. It is important that it's in our own hands. If we keep winning we know we'll be there, but Aston Villa, Blackburn, City, Portsmouth and Everton will be competing.
How helpful is it to know that it's now in your own hands?
It's much better than before. We were talking for a while about the game in hand, but we have three more points now so it's a better situation. If we can keep winning it will be easy!
How important is that Merseyside derby going to be at the end of the month?
It could be but it depends on results between now and then. We must play against Newcastle and Reading, then we play United, Arsenal and Everton very close together. Every game will be important.
There was talk last week of new deals for Peter Crouch and Sami Hyypia – is there any progress on those?
Yes, we have started but we are a little bit busy right now (with all the games)! We'll give it time.
So are these likely to be sorted nearer the end of the season or the summer?
I'd like it to be clear with both players before the end of the season. That would be better for them and better for us.
It was a great performance by Fernando Torres on Wednesday night - back to back hat-tricks for him now at home. When you first signed him he wasn't known as a prolific goalscorer – have you been surprised at how many he's scoring?
We knew that with his quality he could be good in England, with his pace and his strength. It is not easy to score a lot of goals in your first season in the Premier League, so it is a surprise, but we had confidence because of his quality.
 | | Rafa on Michael Owen | | We know Michael is a very good player and a great finisher. We'll have to take care of him tomorrow and if he is calm against us then maybe he can go and score 20 goals. |
I think he can score goals every week, so we'll see. But you know, to score goals every week when you are a team's top scorer is not easy because of the defenders – especially here in England. If the team continues to play well it will be easier for him to score goals.
Are you tempted to rest him or one or two other players ahead of the trip to Milan?
You need to check because the players cannot play two or three games in a few days and be fit. It's almost impossible now because of the pace of the game. So, we'll see. Now we need to change Mascherano because he is injured, and it's impossible to pick the same team for three or four games.
There's been a lot in the press this week about the ownership of the club. Is that something you've been following much?
I know about it and have some information but I just have to think about the important games we have at this moment, especially because we have games close to one another. We have Newcastle tomorrow, then Inter Milan, so we have to concentrate on this.
It doesn't seem like it's affecting the players at all, with the West Ham result. Is it difficult for you to shut it all off and concentrate on football?
Not really, I am trying to prepare the games properly and analyse everything. As I said before, you have two or three days to prepare, so you don't have too much time – and there are a lot of things to prepare.
What do you make of the position Newcastle are in at the moment?
I think they have enough quality in their squad, and also the manager has a lot of experience. It's a surprise where they are because they have very good players, so hopefully after this game they will start winning.
Kevin Keegan is a legend in Newcastle but it doesn't seem to be happening at them moment. Do you think he has a lot of problems up there?
I think that, because they were in a bad position, and then they couldn't win the first games, they have been a little bit under pressure. When you are under pressure you cannot play at your level. But they have enough quality and experience in the squad, so I think after this game they will start winning.
Obviously you'll need to guard against a goalscoring return for Michael Owen?
We know Michael is a very good player and a great finisher. We'll have to take care of him tomorrow and if he is calm against us then maybe he can go and score 20 goals.
There were quotes from Sepp Blatter the other day that bad tackles should be punished with life bans. How do you feel about that?
I think life bans is too much but I do think it would be okay to punish these players harder.
And finally, following on from the idea of playing a 39th league game abroad, Jose Mourinho suggested playing the League Cup final abroad. What are your thoughts on that?
If we were in a cup final, I don't know if our supporters would be happy about going to see it in another country. I think it's better to play the game in your own country.
You can listen to Saturday's big game live on Liverpoolfc.tv. Click here to sign up for an e-Season Ticket>>
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