Thursday, December 10, 2009

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez Rates Weekend Opponents Arsenal

Ahead of Liverpool's final game of their Champions League campaign this season, against Fiorentina, Rafael Benitez has spoken about the upcoming challenge in the Premier League against Arsenal.

The Spaniard insists that while some players may be rested for the Gunners game, he will still likely field his star players against the Serie A side.

"We will change some players but we will still play some big names," Benitez told his club's official website. "It is important to pick them and give some of them the opportunity to improve.

"We will have to rest others though, because they are playing too many games. With the injuries, we have been playing the same players most of the time.

"We have a chart that details the minutes each player has played and some are way ahead of the others, so we will have to manage the situation and try and give minutes to others."

He continued: "We must try to play a good match against Arsenal, then we will have another game on Wednesday and then on Saturday. So we don't have too much time to think about them. We must just play and carry on."

Regarding the improvement of David Ngog, who has deputised admirably during the absence of key forward Fernando Torres, the Reds gaffer said: "You can see that he has improved but he needs to be stronger.

"The centre-backs are powerful in England and although he is only 20 years old and a big lad, he still needs to work hard in the gym and during games.

"We are really pleased with him," said Benitez. "It's a question of time but you can see his quality. I think you will see an improvement from him every week."

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