Benitez directs his frustration at League again

Sep 17 2007 by Ben Thornley, Liverpool Daily Post

Rafael Benitez, Liverpool FC Manager _320

RAFAEL BENITEZ has repeated his criticism of the Premier League after Liverpool were handed an early Saturday kick-off - and long journey south - immediately after a number of their players had been on international duty.

The manager announced earlier this week he would be seeking talks with the Premier League over the fixture schedule which saw them forced to travel to Portsmouth.

Liverpool surrendered the lead in the top flight after the 0-0 draw at Fratton Park but they were indebted to goalkeeper Jose Reina after he saved Kanu's penalty as Arsenal leapfrogged them to top the table.

Benitez then explained his team selection and revealed why he had left Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres on the bench for much of the game.

Benitez said: "You have to analyse the jet- lag and everything else. I had 18 players away and you just have to pick the fittest, the freshest. "(Steven) Gerrard like the majority, wants to play every game, but I said that because Xabi Alonso and Mo Sissoko had trained with us because of the (international) suspension they needed to start.

"But we have to talk to people and find a solution. It is not fair to have all your players all around the world and come back on Thursday to play early Saturday.

"I know the television companies decide on early kickoffs. So someone needs to talk to them and analyse why." Benitez knows the schedule will be no easier this week when his team travel to Porto tomorrow in the opening Champions League group game.

"We will not have time to train for that. And if we lose against Porto it is an English team losing in the Champions League. If you want your teams at the top level in Europe, then you must protect them.

"Really, I don't know now who is fit for Porto. We have Alonso, (Alvaro) Arbeloa and (Steve) Finnan with injuries, Gerrard has the same problem. We need to check all of them now."

Opposite number Harry Redknapp concurred. He said: "I had 10 players go away after the Arsenal game two weeks ago. I didn't see some of them again until Friday morning.

"I just wish they could play internationals on the first Wednesday, then on the Saturday and then come back to their clubs for the Monday. That would suit club managers, but it probably wouldn't suit the international managers better.

 "And I think you take a big chance resting big players. It's worked for Rafa before, though, and that's the way he wants to do it. I'm not criticising him."