Reds boss Rafael Benitez will play his big-name players in tomorrow’s
Carling Cup Final – but felt he must let the young players know just
how much he recognises the fact that it was them that got Liverpool
through all the earlier round – including wins against Premiership
teams Middlesbrough and Spurs.
He said: "The problem is we can only have 16 players in the squad. In
the Champions League you have 18, so with Gerrard, Morientes and
Pellegrino back it means I have to leave a lot out. It is a great pity
we cannot include all of the young players who helped us get to the
final. I have to tell some of them they are not involved. It is
difficult but it is my responsibility and we must be professional and
understand".
Rafa continued: "I don’t think we can get them medals but if we win I
will say thank you to them all personally because they are the reason
we have reached this final."