Benitez defends fielding reserves in shock cup defeat

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has defended his decision to play a virtual reserve line-up in their shock 1-0 FA Cup defeat by Burnley.

Defender Djimi Traore scored an own goal as Liverpool lost to the second division outfit in their postponed third-round tie at Turf Moor on Tuesday night.

British media were scathing yesterday of Benitez's decision to line up several raw youngsters for a big match in an important competition against a club, like Liverpool themselves, steeped in FA Cup history and no push-overs.

"I was satisfied with my team selection," Benitez said. "You cannot use the same players in all four competitions all the time. We played well with the same players in the Carling (League) Cup. We did not under-estimate Burnley," he told Liverpool's official website.

Benitez is keen to make the most of the chance of winning a trophy in his first season in charge in the League Cup. His team are 1-0 up against second division Watford after the home leg of their semi-final.

His Liverpool side are also in the first knockout stage of the Champions League, where they meet Bayer Leverkusen. He is also looking to qualify Liverpool, fifth in the Premier League, for the competition again next season.

"I say that perhaps we do not have a squad good enough for four competitions at the top level. They tried and worked hard, I cannot ask for more from them," said Benitez, whose squad has been hit by injuries, particularly to forwards.

"If we had used more senior players then maybe we would have more problems next week and then in the Champions League.

"We have a lot of injuries and we have to give people time to recover and be ready for the Premier League, the Champions League and next week in the Carling Cup semi-final."

Spain's Xabi Alonso and French striker Djbril Cisse are out long term while several other players are nursing injuries.

FA Cup 3rd round replays

Blackburn 3
Cardiff 2

Boston 0
Hartlepool 1

Exeter 0
Man. United 2

Fulham 2
Watford 0