Rafa Benitez has challenged his fringe players to show their “fight” in Tuesday night’s Carling Cup third round tie at Leeds United.
The Liverpool boss is set to make wholesale changes for the clash with the high-flying League One club.
And the Spaniard insists it is a golden opportunity for those who have been out of favour to impress him.
“In these kind of games you can manage with different players and we are considering making some changes,” he admitted.
“We say to the players ‘Listen, you have an opportunity. If we progress in the Carling Cup you will have more chances’.
“This is an important competition for us and everyone can be involved.
“Some players don’t have too many chances in the Premier League, but they can fight for their position here. It makes it easier for me and the staff to analyse if they are ready or not.”
The Reds have won the trophy a record seven times but since losing the 2005 final to Chelsea they haven’t got beyond the last eight.
The last four seasons have seen weakened Liverpool sides meekly bow out to Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
This time Benitez wants to go all the way and secure the club’s first trip to the new Wembley.
“In my first year here I was really disappointed because we were 10 minutes away from winning the final – losing that was difficult to take,” he said.
“I would like to go to the final again and make amends for that.
“We want to win silverware and this is an option. We will try to do our best in the Carling Cup.
“Sometimes motivation is harder if a player is playing a lot of games. Maybe they won’t consider the Carling Cup as being important.
“But it is important and for the players who aren’t playing at the moment maybe it is the most important competition.
“The main thing is mentality – not just of the team but of the squad.
“If we can have a winning mentality in the cup competitions it will be good because it will make it harder for me to pick the team.”
Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson are among those expected to be rested on Tuesday night.
Diego Cavalieri is set to replace Pepe Reina in goal, while Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Fabio Aurelio, Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, Jay Spearing, Andriy Voronin and David Ngog are all vying for a starting spot.
It’s a 38,000 sell-out at Elland Road and Benitez is wary of the fallen giants who are top of League One.
“We have a lot of respect for Leeds and we know it will be tough,” Benitez said. “They are a massive club and it’s a surprise to see them in the division they are in now.
“Their fans are passionate and really get behind the players.”
The Liverpool boss is set to make wholesale changes for the clash with the high-flying League One club.
And the Spaniard insists it is a golden opportunity for those who have been out of favour to impress him.
“In these kind of games you can manage with different players and we are considering making some changes,” he admitted.
“We say to the players ‘Listen, you have an opportunity. If we progress in the Carling Cup you will have more chances’.
“This is an important competition for us and everyone can be involved.
“Some players don’t have too many chances in the Premier League, but they can fight for their position here. It makes it easier for me and the staff to analyse if they are ready or not.”
The Reds have won the trophy a record seven times but since losing the 2005 final to Chelsea they haven’t got beyond the last eight.
The last four seasons have seen weakened Liverpool sides meekly bow out to Crystal Palace, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham.
This time Benitez wants to go all the way and secure the club’s first trip to the new Wembley.
“In my first year here I was really disappointed because we were 10 minutes away from winning the final – losing that was difficult to take,” he said.
“I would like to go to the final again and make amends for that.
“We want to win silverware and this is an option. We will try to do our best in the Carling Cup.
“Sometimes motivation is harder if a player is playing a lot of games. Maybe they won’t consider the Carling Cup as being important.
“But it is important and for the players who aren’t playing at the moment maybe it is the most important competition.
“The main thing is mentality – not just of the team but of the squad.
“If we can have a winning mentality in the cup competitions it will be good because it will make it harder for me to pick the team.”
Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Dirk Kuyt and Glen Johnson are among those expected to be rested on Tuesday night.
Diego Cavalieri is set to replace Pepe Reina in goal, while Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Fabio Aurelio, Philipp Degen, Andrea Dossena, Ryan Babel, Jay Spearing, Andriy Voronin and David Ngog are all vying for a starting spot.
It’s a 38,000 sell-out at Elland Road and Benitez is wary of the fallen giants who are top of League One.
“We have a lot of respect for Leeds and we know it will be tough,” Benitez said. “They are a massive club and it’s a surprise to see them in the division they are in now.
“Their fans are passionate and really get behind the players.”
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