This political ****e is doing my head in. Time for some football talk rather than takeover talk (AGAIN! 
)...
Rafa set to field a strong side?
Rafa Benitez plans to select his strongest possible side when Luton Town travel to Anfield for the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday.
The Spaniard this week denied he selected a weakened side at Kenilworth Road, pointing to the fact he had 10 internationals in the side.
"I was surprised when a journalist questioned me about not using my strongest team," said Benitez, who was without Steven Gerrard for the initial tie due to injury.
"We had 10 international players in the side but the journalist was just talking about Fernando Torres, so I think he didn't know exactly about our squad.
"We will approach the replay with the same idea. I will use a strong team again because we want to progress in the FA Cup.
"It is a fantastic competition and we want to win it again."
Benitez, whose side have seen in the New Year with three consecutive draws, admits the performance at Luton was not good enough.
However, the Liverpool boss is confident his players can shake off their indifferent form to record a first win of 2008.
"It wasn't good enough, that is clear. We were really disappointed after the game but a lot of Premier League teams didn't even get a replay," he said.
"We watched some videos and we knew it could be a tough game because they are physical and for them it was like a final.
"It was an opportunity for their players to show their quality and put themselves in the window. You must give credit to them because they played well.
"Maybe we can learn from this game and it will be totally different at Anfield. We have another opportunity now and I have a lot of confidence in our team. I think we will win because we want to progress in the competition."
Luton, currently in administration, have lost several players since the initial tie including David Edwards and Chris Coyne.
Frustrated by player sales, manager Kevin Blackwell has tendered his resignation and will step down in February.
The winner of Tuesday's tie will face either League One Swansea City or non-league Havant and Waterlooville.
)...Rafa set to field a strong side?
Rafa Benitez plans to select his strongest possible side when Luton Town travel to Anfield for the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday.
The Spaniard this week denied he selected a weakened side at Kenilworth Road, pointing to the fact he had 10 internationals in the side.
"I was surprised when a journalist questioned me about not using my strongest team," said Benitez, who was without Steven Gerrard for the initial tie due to injury.
"We had 10 international players in the side but the journalist was just talking about Fernando Torres, so I think he didn't know exactly about our squad.
"We will approach the replay with the same idea. I will use a strong team again because we want to progress in the FA Cup.
"It is a fantastic competition and we want to win it again."
Benitez, whose side have seen in the New Year with three consecutive draws, admits the performance at Luton was not good enough.
However, the Liverpool boss is confident his players can shake off their indifferent form to record a first win of 2008.
"It wasn't good enough, that is clear. We were really disappointed after the game but a lot of Premier League teams didn't even get a replay," he said.
"We watched some videos and we knew it could be a tough game because they are physical and for them it was like a final.
"It was an opportunity for their players to show their quality and put themselves in the window. You must give credit to them because they played well.
"Maybe we can learn from this game and it will be totally different at Anfield. We have another opportunity now and I have a lot of confidence in our team. I think we will win because we want to progress in the competition."
Luton, currently in administration, have lost several players since the initial tie including David Edwards and Chris Coyne.
Frustrated by player sales, manager Kevin Blackwell has tendered his resignation and will step down in February.
The winner of Tuesday's tie will face either League One Swansea City or non-league Havant and Waterlooville.
El Niño
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