Rafa Benitez demands strong referee to deal with Drogba theatrics

Apr 27 2008

Rafa Benitez

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez wants the officials in Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg at Chelsea to clamp down on what he sees as Didier Drogba’s theatrics.

Benitez believes Blues striker Drogba goes down far too easily.

“With Drogba, it’s important to have a good referee,” the Spaniard said.

“You can’t do anything, but I will say it because it was so clear. He is amazing because he is massive.

“It’s very impressive. I have a lot of clips of him from over the years and he surprises me. After four years, I expected it.”

Benitez revealed he had compiled clips of Drogba during Liverpool’s numerous matches against Chelsea since he became manager.

The Spaniard was unhappy at what he perceives as preferential treatment for the striker at Anfield in Tuesday night’s first leg.

“We’ve played against Chelsea 19 games and every time I have collected some clips of Drogba,” Benitez explained.

“I have shown them to some of the players. I think that (Martin) Skrtel and Carra (Jamie Carragher) were really good against him the other day, the only problem was the referee was giving fouls. And it was not the same with (Fernando) Torres.”