Rafa baffled by cup dates

This season's FA Cup quarter finals are in midweek because it is a World Cup year. This means Liverpool had to travel to Newcastle for a tough league game yesterday and tomorrow face a trip to bogey side Birmingham. Rafa Benitez admits the lack of respite between the games has suprised him.

"It's crazy that we have another game in two days and I don't understand it, but it's a very important game against Birmingham in the FA Cup and that it why it is so important to have a good squad," said the Liverpool boss.

"The thing I don't understand is you must play with your strongest team, but my strongest team will all be tired."