Benitez wary of Birmingham threat
Rafael Benitez goes into tonight’s FA Cup quarter-final at Birmingham hoping Steve Bruce’s men are more preoccupied with their Barclays Premiership future, but he is not holding his breath.
The Liverpool boss has so far failed to register a victory over Birmingham since he took over at Anfield, and predicts a tough, physical battle with the midlanders for the right to go into the semi-finals.
He said: “Birmingham are a very difficult team. They will be looking to beat us to give them confidence in the league.
“I suppose Birmingham should be thinking the league is now more important. You can win a couple of cup ties and then lose in the final. If you get to the final and get relegated that will be very bad for the club.
“But I still expect them to give us a very difficult game. A victory would help their confidence for the rest of their league season as they try to avoid relegation.”
Benitez added: “People are talking to me about the final, but I do not like to talk about finals, it is too soon. We have to beat Birmingham first, otherwise final talk is pointless.”
