Premier League - Benitez: Our squad is strong

Eurosport - Thu, 13 Nov 18:02:00 2008

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to field reserves against Tottenham, insisting there is enough strength in depth in his squad.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Carling Cup Tottenham-Liverpool Ryan Babel Alan Hutton - 0

While Arsenal's youngsters looked ready for the top flight when they booked their place in the Carling Cup quarter-final earlier in the week, Benitez's second-string struggled at White Hart Lane and were defeated 4-2.

"They are internationals and have quality, but we didn't play well," said Benitez.

"I think they can still do well. When you have two or three not playing well, though, it's difficult for the others to keep up their levels.

"The young players need to play more games like this - win some games, lose some games, gain some experience."

Liverpool remain second in the Premier League but there will now be doubts whether Benitez's squad players are ready to step in when suspensions and injuries rule out the first-team regulars.

"If the team goes to Bolton and wins, we'll still be top of the table and everyone will be talking about our priorities," added the Spaniard.

"We're disappointed because I want to win every game. We had a lot of quality in that team and wanted to win. But you have to think about priorities.

"The Champions League and the Premier League are the priorities. After that, the FA Cup."

Sporting Life / Eurosport

Comment 15 - 34 of 34

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  1. THATS MY OPINION MR JOSEPH,AM A FAN OF THIS TEAM ALL MOST 8 YEARS COZ TOO MUCH EXPECTATION TO THIS TEAM GIVE YOU HEARTACHE.I KNOW AM DISAPPOINTED BUT AM NOT A RUDE PERSON AM STILL A FAN. WHATS WRONG TO THIS TEAM?I KNOW HE IS THE BEST FROM SPAIN BUT WE NEED TO WIN TRUST ME.NO MORE EXCUSE RAFA WE NEED TO WIN NOW

    From djose09, on Fri 14 Nov 7:38PM

  2. Rafa alway given a excuse 'we didn't play' well when lose. please rafa. u must pick the best player every each game no matter in carling cup or fa cup. don't make liverpool fans angry!!!!!!!. we can accept loses if u pick the best player but not 2nd players.

    From aza_master, on Fri 14 Nov 9:10AM

  3. Post 22 (Sam) so what that mean? This is the second time Spurs beat Liverpuke this season. The first time with first team, and second time with the second team. Spurs are a better TEAM.

    From starman_123, on Fri 14 Nov 1:54AM

  4. You Liverpukers don't get it, firstly, Spurs were also playing with their reserves. Secondly, Liverpuke do not have the depth to win anything this season. And thirdly, even though they sitting 2nd in EPL, they will not be playing in CL next season, will be LUCKY to be playing in the UEFA league.

    From starman_123, on Fri 14 Nov 1:38AM

  5. have you watched the bbc the weakest link.. it is time for liverpool to get rid of the weakest links in the squad...let me see penant agger arbeloa lucas aurelio.. i am sure you guys have somemore playersyou have in mind

    From bukhardt, on Fri 14 Nov 12:20AM

  6. No it isnt Rafa.

    From davidman, on Thu 13 Nov 8:27PM

  7. liverpool played bad but chelsea were disgraceful

    From shefalimalik@..., on Thu 13 Nov 8:20PM

  8. Liverpool - fancy winning the league eh? NO CHANCE

    From Sean, on Thu 13 Nov 7:59PM

  9. Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to field reserves against Tottenham, insisting there is enough strength in depth in his squad, so where was it last night Rafa?? THE Goalie was like someting out of a carry on film i was looking for Norman Wisdom to come on a have a go in goal. your games so far have been lucky even against ManU and Chelsea but your getting over confident by picking the wrong player at the wrong time, If you cant stand the haet Rafa get out of the Kitchen and let somebody in that can do what the fans are patiently waiting for and thats win trophis.

    From timj.clifton@..., on Thu 13 Nov 7:00PM

  10. Miss Jose... We're name sake but sorry, I'm highly disappointed in you with your comment... "LIVERPOOL NEVER LEARN THERE LESSON AGAIN.THIS CARLING CUP IS NOT BIG AS A EPL OR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.THIS CARLING CUP IS TROPHY TO, WHY? THERE ALWAYS LOSE TO A BOTTOM HALF CLUB LIKE SPURS. RAFA NEEDS TO GO IF HE STAY WHERE DOOM."

    So Benitez should go after all he's been doing for LFC... miss jose, I bet you know nothing... The Best Manager from Spain.(RAFA)

    From joseph k, on Thu 13 Nov 6:59PM

  11. Miss Jose... We're name sake but sorry, I'm highly disappointed in you with your comment... "LIVERPOOL NEVER LEARN THERE LESSON AGAIN.THIS CARLING CUP IS NOT BIG AS A EPL OR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.THIS CARLING CUP IS TROPHY TO, WHY? THERE ALWAYS LOSE TO A BOTTOM HALF CLUB LIKE SPURS. RAFA NEEDS TO GO IF HE STAY WHERE DOOM."

    So Benitez should go after all he's been doing for LFC... miss jose, I bet you know nothing about football... The Best Manager from Spain.(RAFA)

    From joseph k, on Thu 13 Nov 6:59PM

  12. I wanna know how dossena gets monet for playin footie. He's more suited to bare knuckle fightin'
    wot was it 7 mill for him, colleen cud do a better job

    From drmullen@..., on Thu 13 Nov 6:29PM

  13. even rubbish team like spurs still can beat liverpool, oh man.....

    From Sam, on Thu 13 Nov 6:21PM

  14. LIVERPOOL NEVER LEARN THERE LESSON AGAIN.THIS CARLING CUP IS NOT BIG AS A EPL OR CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.THIS CARLING CUP IS TROPHY TO, WHY? THERE ALWAYS LOSE TO A BOTTOM HALF CLUB LIKE SPURS. RAFA NEEDS TO GO IF HE STAY WHERE DOOM.miss jose is in d house

    From djose09, on Thu 13 Nov 6:02PM

  15. Liverpool want the league TITLE, not league cup

    From Suzy, on Thu 13 Nov 5:15PM

  16. Hey Willy (# 2)
    U say ur keeper made two mistakes for our goals. Yeah right. look at ours who was at fault for two (not collecting the ball for the third and the throw out for the fourth). Defenders mucked up the marking for the first, so the only goal Spurs scored from your 'skill' was the 2nd

    From Suzy, on Thu 13 Nov 5:09PM

  17. Hey Willy (# 2)
    U say ur keeper made two mistakes for our goals. Yeah right. look at ours who was at fault for two (not collecting the ball for the third and the throw out for the fourth). Defenders mucked up the marking for the first, so the only goal Spurs scored from your 'skill' was the 2nd

    From Suzy, on Thu 13 Nov 5:09PM

  18. RUETERS CONFIRM......LIVERPOOL TO ENTER SCOTTISH LEAGUE CUP.....OFFICIAL

    From fluffy.bits, on Thu 13 Nov 4:59PM

  19. Liverpool played really bad last night but who cares about the league cup it doesnt even have a proper name haha. Seriously liverpool need to win a trophy this year or come 2nd in the premiership or Benitez might well be facing the sack

    From colinsbell, on Thu 13 Nov 4:46PM

  20. poooooooooo

    From ekcorns, on Thu 13 Nov 4:45PM
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