[lfc-news] Benitez faces Boro dilemma - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 29 April 2005
Benitez faces Boro dilemma
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ could be forgiven for ordering a large consignment of
cotton wool to wrap around his team on their return to Melwood.

In Steven Gerrard's case, a year's supply of toothpaste would avoid any
further unwanted drama on the eve of vital games.

Benitez admits he feared his captain would miss the clash at Stamford
Bridge at one point on Wednesday, as his toothache became unbearable and
dental surgery required.

"Stevie is better now, but it was a shock for us on the morning of the
game when the doctor told us about the situation," said Benitez.

"My friends in Spain told me they saw Stevie on television and joked to
me they thought he'd gone fat because his face had swelled up.

"It can be dangerous when you have a problem with your teeth because it
can have an impact on your muscles. I was worried about the situation
when I heard about the problem.

"Fortunately, Stevie told me he was still going to play. There was no
way he wanted to miss the match."

If Gerrard, Milan Baros, Igor Biscan, John Arne Riise and Jamie
Carragher were told to put their feet up in preparation for the return
leg, few supporters would argue.

The only fly in that particular ointment is the prospect of suffering a
Premiership defeat which would extinguish the last flickering flame of
ambition of coming fourth.

Benitez' dilemma is while Liverpool's clash with Middlesbrough rates as
yet another 'must-win' game, it's a forlorn hope keeping minds off the
clash three days later.

While the supporters preserve their lung power, Benitez may rest some
weary limbs as he can't afford any more key absentees in the aftermath
of Xabi Alonso's heartbreak.

"We don't have a lot of time to prepare for the game. We'll analyse the
situation of each player before we make any decisions. Then we can think
about our approach against Middlesbrough," said Benitez.

"It may be difficult for us to send out the strongest team this weekend,
but that's been the situation a lot this season. We also have to
recognise this is also an important game which we must win.

"The main focus always has to be the next game, not Tuesday. I know it
will be easy for the players to motivate themselves next week, but we
must concentrate on Middlesbrough.

"The most difficult thing for us all season has been getting the same
mentality for every match."

Steve McClaren's side represent an unwanted interval between the two
main acts. It's not so much a case of 'after the Lord Mayors show' as
the tea-break in the middle of it.

The rational of holding star men back must be balanced with the
consequences of failure.

Benitez can at least call upon Fernando Morientes and Mauricio
Pellegrino again, while Alonso's enforced midweek exile should see him
continue in midfield.

The path is also clear for Djibril Cisse's first start for eight months,
with Benitez admitting the striker is closer than ever to leading from
the front.

"Cisse played well for the 15 minutes he was used, but that's not always
the best way of analysing his condition to start a game," said Benitez.

"I know he's not ready to play a full 90 minutes, but perhaps we can
decide if he starts to play for an hour. That's a possibility for us."

Another option for Benitez is holding Cisse back until the Chelsea visit
rather than expend his energy tomorrow. The Frenchman is still somewhat
of an unknown quantity and could prove a surprise package in the later
stages of the semi-final.

Benitez added: "You never want to give out any information which may
help your rival, but we know we have options and Cisse is now one of them.

"It may be more useful to give him 30 minutes against Middlesbrough and
then start him against Chelsea.

"That's possible, but we haven't made any decision yet."

The next game is always be the most important, but for the first time
this season, Liverpool may recognise a sacrifice in the Premier-ship as
a price worth paying to give themselves the best chance in the Champions
League.

Clearly Benitez's team selection will be influenced by Chelsea's
imminent visit, a series of late fitness tests and, perhaps, one or two
dental check-ups.

* Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate and midfielder George Boateng
face fitness tests.

Southgate, who needed seven stitches in a head wound after the midweek
derby at Newcastle, hopes to make the 400th Premier League appearance of
his three-club career.

Boateng has a foot injury, while goalkeeper Brad Jones will again
deputise for the injured Mark Schwarzer after conceding only one goal in
three games.

Stewart Downing is expected to retake his place on the left wing after
only being used as a late substitute against the Magpies.

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