Liverpool's FA Cup showdown at home to Everton on Sunday will be overshadowed by yet another potential takeover saga at Anfield, but boss Rafael Benitez wants his players to concentrate only on the job in hand.
With the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett reportedly involved in talks with the super-rich Kuwaiti Al Kharafi family, it could prove a major distraction to the task of overcoming Everton in the fourth-round tie.
Benitez, however, wants his players to concentrate on producing the right reaction to Monday's disappointing 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Everton at Anfield.
The Spaniard, who insists skipper Steven Gerrard is in the right frame of mind to play despite his court appearance yesterday, said: "It is always important that you respond well if you suffer a disappointment and this is what has happened in training this week.
"I have been really pleased with the last two training sessions we have had because the attitude of the players has been really positive.
"We have been analysing Monday night's game and we know that we made some mistakes. So we will try to adjust the small details that can make such a big difference.
"But it is important to remember that we drew on Monday night, we did not lose the game, and we have not lost any game for more than two months.
"There are a lot of positives and now we must try to build on them in the second half of the season."
He added: "We were not playing to our level on Monday night, we know that. But we still could have won the game and had it not been for a mistake with just a few minutes to go we would have done.
"This means that if we play the way we know we can then clearly we must have a good chance of winning the cup tie. Obviously it will be tough because it is another derby but I have a lot of confidence that the team will do well."
It had been rumoured that Benitez would rest his skipper following the adjourned court hearing, in which the 28-year-old confirmed he intends to plead not guilty to charges of affray and assault.
But Benitez said: "Steven was working as normal in training and he was scoring goals and you could see the spirit was there that he always has.
"Steven is in the right frame of mind. I have watched him in training and he is fine.
"He scored a few goals in five-a-side and he is very positive and okay for the match.
"He showed the other week that he has a responsibility to the fans and the club.
"He is a very good professional and showed he can concentrate on the job. And he knows that he has our full support."
Benitez brushed aside takeover talk, adding: "I knew nothing of this and I was surprised to see what is being said, but I would prefer to train the team and concentrate on the game with Everton."
With the club's American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett reportedly involved in talks with the super-rich Kuwaiti Al Kharafi family, it could prove a major distraction to the task of overcoming Everton in the fourth-round tie.
Benitez, however, wants his players to concentrate on producing the right reaction to Monday's disappointing 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Everton at Anfield.
The Spaniard, who insists skipper Steven Gerrard is in the right frame of mind to play despite his court appearance yesterday, said: "It is always important that you respond well if you suffer a disappointment and this is what has happened in training this week.
"I have been really pleased with the last two training sessions we have had because the attitude of the players has been really positive.
"We have been analysing Monday night's game and we know that we made some mistakes. So we will try to adjust the small details that can make such a big difference.
"But it is important to remember that we drew on Monday night, we did not lose the game, and we have not lost any game for more than two months.
"There are a lot of positives and now we must try to build on them in the second half of the season."
He added: "We were not playing to our level on Monday night, we know that. But we still could have won the game and had it not been for a mistake with just a few minutes to go we would have done.
"This means that if we play the way we know we can then clearly we must have a good chance of winning the cup tie. Obviously it will be tough because it is another derby but I have a lot of confidence that the team will do well."
It had been rumoured that Benitez would rest his skipper following the adjourned court hearing, in which the 28-year-old confirmed he intends to plead not guilty to charges of affray and assault.
But Benitez said: "Steven was working as normal in training and he was scoring goals and you could see the spirit was there that he always has.
"Steven is in the right frame of mind. I have watched him in training and he is fine.
"He scored a few goals in five-a-side and he is very positive and okay for the match.
"He showed the other week that he has a responsibility to the fans and the club.
"He is a very good professional and showed he can concentrate on the job. And he knows that he has our full support."
Benitez brushed aside takeover talk, adding: "I knew nothing of this and I was surprised to see what is being said, but I would prefer to train the team and concentrate on the game with Everton."
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