Bolton manager Gary Megson is looking for a helping hand from Liverpool counterpart Rafael Benitez in the remaining weeks of the season.The Trotters are currently firmly embroiled in the battle at the foot of the table, two points from safety with four games remaining.

Keen to ensure that their fate remains in their own hands, Megson is hoping that high-flying Liverpool will not offer any favours to their relegation rivals in the coming weeks by fielding an under-strength side.

The Reds were heavily criticised last season for resting their key players ahead of crunch European encounters, a policy which saw them lose 1-0 at Fulham during the run-in to help keep the Cottagers up.

They face Roy Hodgson's men again on Saturday, before heading to struggling Birmingham seven days later, and are now under increasing pressure to play their strongest side in both fixtures.

"Liverpool will have a massive say in which teams go down with their next two league games," Megson said in The Sun.

"We hope Rafa Benitez will retain the integrity of the Premier League with his squad selection.

"You would imagine Liverpool's Premier League campaign is still as important as the Champions League.

"They are battling with Everton for fourth so there is local pride to play for."

Megson accepts that he cannot dictate the side Benitez will play, but insists that every top flight manager has an obligation to select their strongest side whenever possible.

"It is nobody else's business but I'm sure Rafa realises the importance of being seen to do the right thing.

"That's from Liverpool's point of view as well as the rest of the country."

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