Players accept rotation

With a good squad at his disposal Rafa Benitez has been able to leave out the likes of Xabi Alonso and Momo Sissoko. Although it's a disappointment for any player to miss a game like the Champions League semi-final, Benitez says the players understand and accept that there will be squad rotation at Anfield.

"The players know me. They know I can change one or two players but that doesn't mean I am disappointed with them," said the Liverpool boss.

"I was talking with Sissoko. The last two or three weeks he has had more problems because Mascherano was playing well and Gerrard was in the middle.

"I said to him it was not a problem because we will play 60 games next season and we need a lot of good players. We have injuries also.

"All the players must be a little bit disappointed if they don't play, but they need to have respect for their team-mates. Xabi is a good professional and it is not a problem."