Aug 25 2006
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ is on a collision course with the Norwegian FA following their inclusion of John Arne Riise in the squad for next week's European qualifiers.
Liverpool insist Riise is unavailable forselection for the ties with Hungary and Moldova, but he must now join his international team-mates in Olso and have his fitness re-assessed.
Benitez would prefer the left-back to remain in Liverpool to continue his recovery.
He's stunned by the decision to select the full-back, whois suffering with atwisted ankle,and has hit out at the international calendar in general, arguing Liverpool's position in the Champions League was jeopardised by their 'crazy' schedule.
"John is not ready to play for Norway," said Benitez today. "The situation with John and Carra is the same. They are injured and I don't believe it's fair they should have to go with their national teams.
"The players understand that although the national team is important, the club, the supporters and their team-mates are even more important at this moment.
"We have a lot of people with high expectations this season, who want us to achieve big things, but we played the most important game with some of our best players short of a month's preparation due to the World Cup.
"Now there are two qualifiers at the start of the season. It's crazy.
"This is not just a problem for Liverpool, but all the big clubs.
"I saw the Liverpool fans in Kiev, and I want to thank them, but it's wrong we could not prepare properly for such an important game because our World Cup players did not have the same level of pre-season training. It was very dangerous for us.
"The supporters spend a lot of money to travel to watch us play and expect us to be in the Champions League, and it's crazy if we are not able to have the play-ers at the right level because of so many international games."
Liverpool hope both Riise and Jamie Carragher will be availablefor the derby, but both are missing along with Momo Sissoko for the visit of West Ham.
However, £9m signing Dirk Kuyt will make his debut.
The Dutch striker scored twice in a practice match at Melwood earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Florent Sinama-Pongolle is on the brink of leaving Liverpool, with Lyon interested in the striker
EXCLUSIVE by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
RAFA BENITEZ is on a collision course with the Norwegian FA following their inclusion of John Arne Riise in the squad for next week's European qualifiers.
Liverpool insist Riise is unavailable forselection for the ties with Hungary and Moldova, but he must now join his international team-mates in Olso and have his fitness re-assessed.
Benitez would prefer the left-back to remain in Liverpool to continue his recovery.
He's stunned by the decision to select the full-back, whois suffering with atwisted ankle,and has hit out at the international calendar in general, arguing Liverpool's position in the Champions League was jeopardised by their 'crazy' schedule.
"John is not ready to play for Norway," said Benitez today. "The situation with John and Carra is the same. They are injured and I don't believe it's fair they should have to go with their national teams.
"The players understand that although the national team is important, the club, the supporters and their team-mates are even more important at this moment.
"We have a lot of people with high expectations this season, who want us to achieve big things, but we played the most important game with some of our best players short of a month's preparation due to the World Cup.
"Now there are two qualifiers at the start of the season. It's crazy.
"This is not just a problem for Liverpool, but all the big clubs.
"I saw the Liverpool fans in Kiev, and I want to thank them, but it's wrong we could not prepare properly for such an important game because our World Cup players did not have the same level of pre-season training. It was very dangerous for us.
"The supporters spend a lot of money to travel to watch us play and expect us to be in the Champions League, and it's crazy if we are not able to have the play-ers at the right level because of so many international games."
Liverpool hope both Riise and Jamie Carragher will be availablefor the derby, but both are missing along with Momo Sissoko for the visit of West Ham.
However, £9m signing Dirk Kuyt will make his debut.
The Dutch striker scored twice in a practice match at Melwood earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Florent Sinama-Pongolle is on the brink of leaving Liverpool, with Lyon interested in the striker
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