Rafa Benitez is ready to risk Merseyside derby pride for Liverpool's title dream.
The Anfield boss has revealed that he will rest some key players in the FA Cup against bitter local rivals Everton on Sunday.
The Reds have two big Premier League matches coming up the following week. And that means even star players such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could find themselves on the bench for the Mersey showdown.
Liverpool play Wigan in a must-win league game just three days after the clash with Everton, and Benitez has long been of the opinion that is simply too short a recovery period.
It means he won't risk certain players, despite the pressure to field the strongest side possible to ensure derby bragging rights.
Benitez was devastated by the late goal his side conceded to lose two points against Everton on Monday, and with the Wigan game as well as a crucial game with Chelsea on the horizon, he insisted he will rotate.
"We have players coming back from injury and it is important that they get the chance to play matches like the Cup tie," he said.
"We may have to play with different players for the Everton game on Sunday because afterwards we have two important games at Wigan and then at home to Chelsea."
It is 19 years since Liverpool won the title, and the manager is so focused on the quest to bring it back to Anfield that even cup defeat at the hands of Everton won't deflect him.
He looks certain to bring Javier Mascherano back into the starting line-up, and with Lucas likely to play alongside him in midfield that could mean rests for Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger are also coming back from injury and are likely to play, while Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel should get much-needed game time.
Torres could be left on the bench, especially after a hard game against Everton in his first real test since returning from hamstring injury.
Mascherano is determined to avenge the costly draw on Monday night.
"I love this kind of game where first you have to win the physical battle before you can think about winning the match," he said.
"I like playing against Everton. Every tackle matters and you have to be brave in every situation.
"We feel that we can't come off the pitch with anything left. We have to give everything to make sure Liverpool get the right result.
"When the game is the FA Cup, it is even more important because we want to go far in this competition."
The Anfield boss has revealed that he will rest some key players in the FA Cup against bitter local rivals Everton on Sunday.
The Reds have two big Premier League matches coming up the following week. And that means even star players such as Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could find themselves on the bench for the Mersey showdown.
Liverpool play Wigan in a must-win league game just three days after the clash with Everton, and Benitez has long been of the opinion that is simply too short a recovery period.
It means he won't risk certain players, despite the pressure to field the strongest side possible to ensure derby bragging rights.
Benitez was devastated by the late goal his side conceded to lose two points against Everton on Monday, and with the Wigan game as well as a crucial game with Chelsea on the horizon, he insisted he will rotate.
"We have players coming back from injury and it is important that they get the chance to play matches like the Cup tie," he said.
"We may have to play with different players for the Everton game on Sunday because afterwards we have two important games at Wigan and then at home to Chelsea."
It is 19 years since Liverpool won the title, and the manager is so focused on the quest to bring it back to Anfield that even cup defeat at the hands of Everton won't deflect him.
He looks certain to bring Javier Mascherano back into the starting line-up, and with Lucas likely to play alongside him in midfield that could mean rests for Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger are also coming back from injury and are likely to play, while Yossi Benayoun and Ryan Babel should get much-needed game time.
Torres could be left on the bench, especially after a hard game against Everton in his first real test since returning from hamstring injury.
Mascherano is determined to avenge the costly draw on Monday night.
"I love this kind of game where first you have to win the physical battle before you can think about winning the match," he said.
"I like playing against Everton. Every tackle matters and you have to be brave in every situation.
"We feel that we can't come off the pitch with anything left. We have to give everything to make sure Liverpool get the right result.
"When the game is the FA Cup, it is even more important because we want to go far in this competition."
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