Liverpoolfc.tv: Is this a different proposition to the FA Cup tie in which Liverpool beat Birmingham 7-0 last season?
Rafa Benitez: It is clear it will be a different type of game. They are playing well in the Championship and they will play at home. They know we beat them last season and maybe they will be thinking about the last game, so it will be a tough match.
How seriously do you expect Steve Bruce to take the Carling Cup?
When you are in the Championship you have to think about your priority and maybe to be in the Premiership next season is the main thing. You know if you progress in the Carling Cup or the FA Cup it will be more of a problem than a solution because if you don't have a lot of players and you have to play against the top sides, it will be difficult for a manager to keep the players focussed on the league.
Jermaine Pennant will be returning to his old club. What's he said to you about this game?
I was asking him about how they will play and which players, things that we know but he knows especially. He said it would be a very difficult game because they will press us, play a physical game and be good in the air.
Jermaine was one of the players on the end of that 7-0 defeat. How far has he come since then?
He has pace and can beat players but also cross. A lot of players can cross, but he can cross with a player close to him and the crosses are really good. He can cross with one touch after receiving the ball. He is a player with a lot of quality. With Kuyt and with Crouch he is a good signing because he gives us another kind of possibility. The understanding between the players is important. Last season it was easy because he had Heskey and Sutton in the box and he could just cross the ball. He is a young player, he is learning and the understanding with the other players is now improving. I don't know a lot of right-wingers better than Pennant in the Premiership.
What reception do you think Jermaine will get at St Andrew's?
I think the people will understand how good he was there. We paid good money for him and I think it was good business for both sides. I think the supporters will be behind him.
You've had a great string of results at home, is this the perfect opportunity to lift your away form?
It could be. We know we need to improve away but the only thing is, it's another competition and we will change some things. If you win you will say, okay it's great we've won away, but afterwards you have to win in the Premiership because it's the most important thing.
Scott Carson received a lot of plaudits after his performance in goal for Charlton at the weekend. How closely are you monitoring his progess?
We are monitoring all the players we have on loan. It's clear he's playing well and we will see what happens in the future. We have three good goalkeepers and it's always positive to see young players improve. I have been talking a lot with the scouts and they tell me he is playing well. When you decide to send players on loan it is because they need to play and it's really good he's getting experience in the Premiership.
Will you have one eye on this weekend's Premiership clash with Arsenal when selecting your side on Wednesday?
We will leave some of the senior players here - Stevie, Sami, Luis Garcia, Reina.
Is this an opportunity for Jerzy Dudek to stake a claim for a regular start?
He had some problems and we decided Pepe Reina was the first choice, but you know goalkeepers must be professional. We have a lot of confidence in him, he trains very well and he is a very good guy. Now he has an opportunity and we will see.
Rafa Benitez: It is clear it will be a different type of game. They are playing well in the Championship and they will play at home. They know we beat them last season and maybe they will be thinking about the last game, so it will be a tough match.
How seriously do you expect Steve Bruce to take the Carling Cup?
When you are in the Championship you have to think about your priority and maybe to be in the Premiership next season is the main thing. You know if you progress in the Carling Cup or the FA Cup it will be more of a problem than a solution because if you don't have a lot of players and you have to play against the top sides, it will be difficult for a manager to keep the players focussed on the league.
Jermaine Pennant will be returning to his old club. What's he said to you about this game?
I was asking him about how they will play and which players, things that we know but he knows especially. He said it would be a very difficult game because they will press us, play a physical game and be good in the air.
Jermaine was one of the players on the end of that 7-0 defeat. How far has he come since then?
He has pace and can beat players but also cross. A lot of players can cross, but he can cross with a player close to him and the crosses are really good. He can cross with one touch after receiving the ball. He is a player with a lot of quality. With Kuyt and with Crouch he is a good signing because he gives us another kind of possibility. The understanding between the players is important. Last season it was easy because he had Heskey and Sutton in the box and he could just cross the ball. He is a young player, he is learning and the understanding with the other players is now improving. I don't know a lot of right-wingers better than Pennant in the Premiership.
What reception do you think Jermaine will get at St Andrew's?
I think the people will understand how good he was there. We paid good money for him and I think it was good business for both sides. I think the supporters will be behind him.
You've had a great string of results at home, is this the perfect opportunity to lift your away form?
It could be. We know we need to improve away but the only thing is, it's another competition and we will change some things. If you win you will say, okay it's great we've won away, but afterwards you have to win in the Premiership because it's the most important thing.
Scott Carson received a lot of plaudits after his performance in goal for Charlton at the weekend. How closely are you monitoring his progess?
We are monitoring all the players we have on loan. It's clear he's playing well and we will see what happens in the future. We have three good goalkeepers and it's always positive to see young players improve. I have been talking a lot with the scouts and they tell me he is playing well. When you decide to send players on loan it is because they need to play and it's really good he's getting experience in the Premiership.
Will you have one eye on this weekend's Premiership clash with Arsenal when selecting your side on Wednesday?
We will leave some of the senior players here - Stevie, Sami, Luis Garcia, Reina.
Is this an opportunity for Jerzy Dudek to stake a claim for a regular start?
He had some problems and we decided Pepe Reina was the first choice, but you know goalkeepers must be professional. We have a lot of confidence in him, he trains very well and he is a very good guy. Now he has an opportunity and we will see.
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