Benitez - We must be calm
Rafael Benitez has warned his Liverpool players to keep their cool at all times.
The Anfield boss is disappointed that Luis Garcia is ruled out for the remainder of the season including the showpiece FA Cup final.
The appeal against a straight red card in the victory against West Ham at Upton Park was rejected by the Football Association and the Spanish midfielder will now serve a three-match ban, starting against Aston Villa tomorrow.
Luis Garcia went to ground quickly after a tussle with Hayden Mullins, and Benitez believes the player’s punishment sends out an important message to the rest of the squad.
He said: “Luis Garcia cannot play in the final. Maybe that is a good thing for the rest of the players.
“It is good for them to see you cannot lose control before important games.
“You need to know how important it is to be under control.
“It is a good lesson for Luis Garcia and we can learn from this.”
Luis Garcia scored a stunning goal in the semi-final victory against Chelsea and Benitez added: “He will be a big loss.
“He can score goals on the big occasion and we all know his quality. He can change the face of the game.”
Steven Gerrard is expected to return to the team after being rested in midweek, while Djibril Cisse could retain his place after a brace against the Hammers.
That took the France forward’s tally to 17 for the season.
But with Robbie Fowler, Peter Crouch and Fernando Morientes all pushing for places, competition is stiff.
Benitez said: “Cisse scored two good goals and that is something I like to see.
“He has had some fine games but the problem is we have a lot of good strikers.”
Fowler’s record against Villa is extraordinary – 12 goals in 12 games, but Benitez said: “The most important thing is the team, not individuals.”
Liverpool still have a slight chance of overhauling Manchester United and claiming second spot.
“That is what we will try to do,” said Benitez. “We have to think about the League matches, not the final.
“But I like to be under pressure because that means we are playing for something.
“Football is only enjoyable when you’re winning. I have seen Villa a few times and they can be dangerous. It will be a tough game.”
