Rafa Benitez sets fourth place as Liverpool’s priority

Apr 5 2008 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez insists he is still taking the race for fourth seriously despite planning wholesale changes for today’s game at the Emirates Stadium as the club confirmed they will appeal against Javier Mascherano’s additional two-match ban.

Last weekend’s win at Anfield enabled Liverpool to open up a five-point gap ahead of Everton – their biggest lead over their neighbours since their previous derby success back in October.

And with such daylight between the Mersey rivals, the Spaniard is expected to prioritise today by adopting some of his trademark rotating by resting star names such as Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Fabio Aurelio, Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel.

But, Benitez remains adamant he does not want to allow Everton to erode his side’s lead after the derby win gave them some breathing space.

He said: “It was important to beat Everton. But we know it’s important to win every game.

“I don’t think the fact we have a five-point lead over Everton can give any leeway over team selection against Arsenal on Saturday.

“We need to keep winning to keep the confidence of the team high. Everton are playing Derby on Sunday and normally you would expect them to win that. So it’s important that we get a win at Arsenal, or at least don’t get beat.

“The fact we’ve had a positive result won’t make have any effect on how we approach the game on Saturday.

“It’ll be a different competition and a different game, but it’s clear that we will need to use our squad.”

Liverpool yesterday confirmed they will appeal against the extended two-match ban handed to Javier Mascherano following his red card at Manchester United.

The midfielder, who has already served a mandatory one-match suspension for his red card at Old Trafford almost two weeks ago, admitted a FA charge of improper conduct levied for his angry refusal to leave the field, but the club still intend to appeal the additional ban.

A club spokesman said: “We have put in the appeal and requested that the penalty not be set aside pending the outcome. Consequently, Javier is suspended for tomorrow’s game at Arsenal.”

Mascherano admitted a charge of improper conduct after a personal hearing and was punished further by the FA, with the additional suspension meaning he would miss today’s trip to Arsenal and the home game with Blackburn on April 13. But Liverpool have confirmed they are unhappy with the “inconsistency of sentencing based on past precedents”, with Mascherano seemingly being made a scapegoat for some high-profile displays of petulance towards referees.

Meanwhile, the player has said sorry for his conduct against Manchester United which led to his sending off.

Mascherano said: “I apologise to everyone. I made a mistake and I regret this mistake. It was my fault.

“I am not a dirty player, I do not make a habit of showing disrespect towards referees.

“I don’t like this and I can only think the high intensity of the fixture, against Manchester United, affected my behaviour that day. It was out of character but I do not use that as an excuse.”

He added: “Looking back at that game, I was wrong to approach the referee. I approached him to talk to him but I understand this was not a good idea.

“I reacted badly to the red card because I could not believe what was happening to me.

“I must learn my lesson but move on from this and forget what has happened. I hope people know that I try to be fair and that I have no intention to be aggressive.

“Off the field, it has been a difficult. My disciplinary record has been good but I have to show that again. I always try to respect decisions by the referee and this is important.”