Benitez bemoans schedule
22 Dec 2006 - 07:19:48
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has called for the traditional festive period to be halved from four to two matches to protect players from injury.
Benitez is unhappy that his side must play four fixtures in ten days over Christmas and New Year with the Reds facing trips to Blackburn and Tottenham alongside clashes with Watford and Bolton at Anfield.
"Four games is a lot of games and if you want to keep the tradition, maybe play two games, it would be enough," he said.
"Now we cannot change the situation but you cannot play two games in three days - it is impossible for a player to be physically fit for the next game and the risk for the players is more important.
"When you think about the national team and the performances of the teams in the Premier and Europe it is not necessary to play four games.
"We want to play Boxing Day and we want to play New Year's Day - I feel that is enough."
Benitez also believes the fixture list must be reduced to allow footballers time off to be "normal".
He added: "We must give the players some time but how can you be a normal person in the street with parties on December 31 and then be ready for a game if you play January 1?
"It is really difficult. You must give them something but not all the things that maybe they deserve.
"I will try to enjoy it if possible but if you want to enjoy it you need to win.
"It is Christmas time and we know how important Christmas time is and we will try to do our best."