Rafa Benitez calls for peace between Liverpool and Everton

Apr 1 2008

Rafael Benitez called for peace to break out tonight as Liverpool prepared for their Champions League clash with Arsenal by attempting to shrug off the uproar following the Merseyside derby and the continued crisis over the club’s future ownership.

The Liverpool boss is trying to focus his team on the quarter-final first leg clash with the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night.

But the hangover from Sunday’s 1-0 win over Everton, and the police investigation into crowd abuse of players from both sides, has disrupted the build-up to tomorrow’s showdown.

And Benitez is also aware that co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will be in the same directors’ box for the first time since the turmoil over the sale of the club engulfed the Merseysiders.

The anger of Liverpool fans over the ownership dispute could well see them more concerned with aiming their vitriol at the Americans in the posh seats.

Gillett and Hicks will have a 20-strong entourage at the match and it is claimed they will have discussions with potential buyers Dubai International Capital at the match.

But Benitez said: “It is simple, if we play well our fans will be focused on the pitch and not on who is here. So we will try to play well. That is the aim.”

And of the Everton issue, Benitez said: “It is important to stop these things (chanting) between the fans. Especially against families and children, it is important to stop these things if it is possible and just talk about football.

“I do not believe we have any problem with Everton, we have respect for each other.”