[lfc-news] If you score I'll play you'

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'If you score I'll play you' Oct 17 2005
By David Prentice
RAFA BENITEZ accepted Djibril Cisse's public show of togetherness at
Anfield on Saturday - then made a very public proclamation himself to the
frustrated forward.

"Yes, if Djib scores goals, he must play, for sure," said the Reds' boss.

Cisse raced to the dug-out to shake his manager's hand after striking
Saturday's 74th minute match-winner - following moans and groans earlier in
the week that he wasn't happy with Benitez's rotation policy.

But after selecting Cisse in his preferred central striking role, Benitez
added: "He wanted to say we don't have problems. I said in the press
conference before this match that we have been talking this week about the
situation and we don't have problems.

"We are both professionals and I have to decide whether he plays or not. He
must work hard, and if he does work hard he will have possibilities.

"If he scores goals he must play, for sure. But for me it is not just about
scoring goals. Strikers have to work hard as well. For me Crouch has done a
good job. Okay he didn't score, but he has done a job for Djib and it is
important to have players doing the job for the team.

"We are creating opportunities, but we need to score more goals it is true.

"The three strikers we had today can score goals. Peter Crouch can score
goals, but also do a lot of things around the box. Morientes is similar,
but Cisse is a finisher. Peter Crouch and Morientes are clever players and
they can both play with Cisse without problems."

While Benitez was pleased with Cisse's eighth goal of the season, he also
claimed to be unconcerned that Peter Crouch extended his personal
goalscoring drought beyond nine games.

"For a striker it's really important to score goals," explained Benitez.
"If he can score next game it will be great for him and us, but if he
continues to work hard and the other players score goals, for me it's no
problem.

"Peter did a good job. He will score in time but people understand he is
working for the team and that's most important. he is a good boy and good pro.

"We knew that they would play with two strikers so I decided to play three
defenders and use more men in midfield.

"I knew we were facing a tough team. It was really difficult so we needed
to do the same things, continue to move the ball, play football, win the
second ball and set pieces.

"You can score in the first minute or the last minute, but you must carry
on doing things well.

"Really, Blackburn don't create a lot of opportunities. They give the
sensation of danger with free-kicks and long balls but not a lot of
opportunities."

Benitez also had firm views on the sending-off of Rovers defender Zurab
Khizanisvilli.

"It was a clear red card. He was the last man. No discussion," he declared.
"It was so clear I don't need to say anything."

Rovers boss Mark Hughes, however, disagreed.

"We will appeal against the red card," he said. "We started the game very
brightly and I thought in the first 30 minutes we were the more dominant
team, but obviously the sending-off changed the complexion of the match.

"Having spoken to the lads, his initial decision was a penalty, but his
assistant was busting to tell him that was incorrect, which was the right
decision - and as he was going over he was telling my players it's likely
to be a yellow card for Zurab. But when he receives clarification that it's
outside the area then it's a red card.

"I think the fact he didn't give a penalty made him change his mind and
show a red.

"Cisse wasn't bearing down on goal, our players were getting back to
challenge. I think he needs to look at his decision because he has affected
the outcome of the game."

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