Monday Apr 28 2008 12:04
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hopes the referee will keep a close eye on Didier Drogba when the Reds visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday for their crunch Champions League semi-final second leg encounter with
Chelsea.
Benitez believes the Ivory Coast international goes down far too easily in his attempts to win free-kicks and penalties.
The former Valencia coach said: "With Drogba, it's important to have a good referee. You can't do anything, but I will say it because it was so clear.
"He is amazing because he is massive. It's very impressive. I have a lot of clips of him from over the years and he surprises me. After four years, I expected it.
"The referee was giving fouls for him last week and it was not the same with Torres."
Meanwhile, Jermaine Pennant hopes he did enough in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City to keep his place against Chelsea.
The 25-year-old has been a bit-part player this term but produced a sparkling display against one of his former clubs at the weekend.
He said: "It's a massive ask for the manager to pick me for the Chelsea game because the team have been doing very well.
"We'll just have to wait and see - but if I'm on the bench then I'll still probably enjoy it.
"The manager has got wingers playing at the moment with Torres and Stevie G behind him but I can play on the wing - that's my position."
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