Liverpool Football Club News

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

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Rafa hints at Reds changes

04 Apr 2008 - 15:17:38

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hinted he will rest several key players for Saturday's Premier League trip to Arsenal.

The Reds have fourth place in the table virtually sewn up after last weekend's derby victory over Everton and Benitez is likely to shuffle his pack with the Champions League on his mind.

Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt could all be omitted from the starting line-up with the Reds set to face Arsenal again in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.

The tie is currently balanced on a knife-edge after Wednesday's 1-1 first leg stalemate at the Emirates Stadium.

"I will need to think carefully about my team for the league match," admitted Benitez.

"Torres and Gerrard will need to be strong for the second leg and Kuyt ran himself to a standstill on Wednesday.

"Some players recover in two or three days, others need four. Maybe we will need to change some players.

"The age may be the key. Fernando can recover in two days, but Sami could take five. We will have to wait and see.

"I am expecting to make changes. I cannot expect them to play three times like that in seven days, certainly with the very high tempo of the games.

"It is impossible to play these same players three times in a week. Impossible."