Rafael Benitez will have to force his mind away from AC Milan and Athens tomorrow and back to completing Liverpool's league run-in.And once again he will find himself in a position to inadvertently influence the futures of other clubs with his team selections.
Liverpool, fresh from the momentous Champions League semi-final triumph over Chelsea, are back in west London to face the relegation-haunted Cottagers.
Their survivial battle will make this a fierce, confrontational game, and one that Benitez will not want to risk too many of his first-choice stars.
He is certain to field a weakened side and that will undoubtedly upset the other teams down in the relegation zone - a gauntlet the Spaniard has already run this year.
But tomorrow Benitez could rest even more than he did for games against Portsmouth and Wigan, with teenage defender Jack Hobbs and goalkeeper Daniele Padelli in line for debuts.
Emiliano Insua, handed a debut at Pompey, could figure again alongside the likes of Alvaro Arbeloa, Craig Bellamy, Mark Gonzalez, Sami Hyypia, Gabriel Paletta, Paul Anderson and Craig Lindfield could also figure.
Benitez is unconcerned about the fate of Fulham's relegation rivals, saying: "My club is my priority, and I do not believe that a season rests on one or two games."
Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez denies the Reds will be suffering from a European hangover when they travel to Craven Cottage tomorrow.
Sanchez said: "People are talking about the effect Liverpool playing their second leg of their Champions League semi-final match will have on them.
"But I don't think they'll be less up for it, even if they don't have much to play for in Premiership."
Date:4 May 2007
Credit:www.sportinglife.com
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