Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Rafa demands Reds focus

02 Apr 2008 - 07:41:20

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Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has called for focus from the boardroom to the dressing room ahead of their Champions League quarter-final with Arsenal.

The club's warring co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett could both be in attendance for the first leg at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night for the first time since their public falling out of the future of the Reds.

The pair are expected to hold talks with potential investor, Dubai International Capital, after the match.

However, Benitez has called on supporters to focus their energy behind the team rather than continue their opposition to the American owners at this vital stage of the season.

"It is simple, if we play well our fans will be focused on the pitch and not on who is here," said Benitez.

"So we will try to play well. That is the aim."

Meanwhile, Benitez believes Arsenal will be worried over the form of Fernando Torres after the Spanish striker took his season's tally to 28 with the winner in Sunday's Merseyside derby.

"Arsenal will know that Torres is on fire and is scoring goals and will be a problem for them," he continued.

"Fernando also knows that if we play well he will score goals, so he will work hard for the team.

"As this is a European competition he wants to play well and score goals.

"He has a great mentality and is very competitive, but against the top sides he must be focused and have confidence in himself because against the best defenders it will be more difficult."

Benitez also confirmed Javier Mascherano will start on Wednesday after the Argentine midfielder's league suspension.