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Duo set to sit out cup clash

Published by fiz on November 11, 2008

Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane is set to miss Wednesday’s Carling Cup tie at White Hart Lane.

Rafael Benitez said he is ready to rest his key players for his side’s Carling Cup fourth-round tie against Tottenham Hotspurs.

“Gerrard will not be in the squad and neither will Keane,” Benitez told the offish site.

“It’s always difficult to play so many games in a row and you have to change some players depending on the competition. The majority of them can play games in a row but some need to be taken care of.

“Gerrard is one of them at this moment. Dirk Kuyt is another who has played almost every game. Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher and Robbie Keane are the same.

“You also have to consider that some of these players have played internationals this season too. I think Keane has played 23 games already.

“We will use players who haven’t played every game. I have confidence in them because they are all internationals.

“It’s always important to win trophies and this is an opportunity to do that. You must always be ready in every competition. People talk about big names playing but it’s more important to talk about good players and we’ll have good players playing in the Carling Cup.”

Fernando Torres is expected to feature after missing six matches because of a hamstring strain. He came on as a substitute in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over the Baggies.

Benitez said: “He (Torres) will be in the squad and hopefully he can play. He could start.”

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