Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, has voiced fears that Rafael Benitez could distort the battle for Premier League survival this weekend by resting several key Liverpool players against third-bottom Birmingham at St Andrews on Saturday.
With Liverpool facing a decisive Champions League semi-final second-leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday, Bruce expects Anfield manager Benitez to leave a raft of leading players out of his plans at Birmingham in preparation for the return fixture against Chelsea.
Bruce, whose Wigan team can confirm their own Premier League future with victory at home to Reading on Saturday, said: "Whichever team Liverpool put out, they will be an outstanding team, but it would be nice if they put their big hitters out against Birmingham. I doubt it will happen, but we will have to wait and see."
Benitez was widely condemned last season for fielding a virtual second-team against Fulham in the build-up to last May's Champions League Final against AC Milan.
Fulham's 1-0 victory in that game proved enough for the Londoners to secure their Premier League future at the expense of Sheffield United, who occupied the final relegation spot, just one point below Fulham.
And despite Bolton manager Gary Megson raising his own concerns about the make-up of Benitez's team for last Saturday's league game at Fulham, which Liverpool won 2-0, the Merseysiders once again lined up at Craven Cottage without a number of first-choice players.
Bruce, whose Wigan team can confirm their own Premier League future with victory at home to Reading on Saturday, said: "Whichever team Liverpool put out, they will be an outstanding team, but it would be nice if they put their big hitters out against Birmingham. I doubt it will happen, but we will have to wait and see."
Benitez was widely condemned last season for fielding a virtual second-team against Fulham in the build-up to last May's Champions League Final against AC Milan.
Fulham's 1-0 victory in that game proved enough for the Londoners to secure their Premier League future at the expense of Sheffield United, who occupied the final relegation spot, just one point below Fulham.
And despite Bolton manager Gary Megson raising his own concerns about the make-up of Benitez's team for last Saturday's league game at Fulham, which Liverpool won 2-0, the Merseysiders once again lined up at Craven Cottage without a number of first-choice players.
With Liverpool facing a decisive Champions League semi-final second-leg against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday, Bruce expects Anfield manager Benitez to leave a raft of leading players out of his plans at Birmingham in preparation for the return fixture against Chelsea.
Bruce, whose Wigan team can confirm their own Premier League future with victory at home to Reading on Saturday, said: "Whichever team Liverpool put out, they will be an outstanding team, but it would be nice if they put their big hitters out against Birmingham. I doubt it will happen, but we will have to wait and see."
Benitez was widely condemned last season for fielding a virtual second-team against Fulham in the build-up to last May's Champions League Final against AC Milan.
Fulham's 1-0 victory in that game proved enough for the Londoners to secure their Premier League future at the expense of Sheffield United, who occupied the final relegation spot, just one point below Fulham.
And despite Bolton manager Gary Megson raising his own concerns about the make-up of Benitez's team for last Saturday's league game at Fulham, which Liverpool won 2-0, the Merseysiders once again lined up at Craven Cottage without a number of first-choice players.
Bruce, whose Wigan team can confirm their own Premier League future with victory at home to Reading on Saturday, said: "Whichever team Liverpool put out, they will be an outstanding team, but it would be nice if they put their big hitters out against Birmingham. I doubt it will happen, but we will have to wait and see."
Benitez was widely condemned last season for fielding a virtual second-team against Fulham in the build-up to last May's Champions League Final against AC Milan.
Fulham's 1-0 victory in that game proved enough for the Londoners to secure their Premier League future at the expense of Sheffield United, who occupied the final relegation spot, just one point below Fulham.
And despite Bolton manager Gary Megson raising his own concerns about the make-up of Benitez's team for last Saturday's league game at Fulham, which Liverpool won 2-0, the Merseysiders once again lined up at Craven Cottage without a number of first-choice players.
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