RAFA: PLAYERS UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING

RAFA: PLAYERS UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE DOING
Paul Eaton 09 May 2007
Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool's midfield stars will accept the increased competition for places next season.
Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano were selected in the centre of the field against Chelsea last week, with Xabi Alonso among the substitutes and Momo Sissoko not in the squad.

The Liverpool boss knows more selection headaches will face him during the next campaign but he has confidence the players understand his way of thinking.

"The players know me," said Benitez. "They know I can change one or two players but that doesn't mean I am disappointed with them.

"I was talking with Sissoko. The last two or three weeks he has had more problems because Mascherano was playing well and Gerrard was in the middle.

"I said to him it was not a problem because we will play 60 games next season and we need a lot of good players. We have injuries also."

Benitez also revealed Spanish star Xabi Alonso accepted the decision to start the crucial Champions League clash with Chelsea on the bench.

"All the players must be a little bit disappointed if they don't play, but they need to have respect for their team-mates. Xabi is a good professional and it is not a problem," he added.