Benitez: We play it fair

Benitez: We play it fair

Mar 31 2006

By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ has defended the honour of his Liverpool side following post-derby allegations of unsporting behaviour, insisting: "We're one of the fairest teams in the league."

After last week's 3-1derby victory Everton's Alan Stubbs hit out at players who gesticulate to referees and urge them to book opponents. It followed an incident on the pitch involving Stubbs and Reds goalscorer Luis Garcia.

But Benitez today hit back, praising his players for accepting his strict code of conduct.

"I have seen a lot of games and a lot of teams pressing referees much more than us," said Benitez.

"I was surprised to read anything like this about my team.

We were the better team in the derby, even with ten men, so I don't know why anyone should talk about other things.

"When a player signs for us, we expect him to adopt the mentality of the club. That means showing respect for the other team, so long as they respect us, and showing the commitment and hard work buttociated with playing for Liverpool.

"We know what supporters expect from us and I know we don't have a problem with our players.

"You can see that from all our games. It's very clear and should not even be up for debate.

"We are not a club which likes to see players diving or pressing the referee. If you see this in other teams, and they're profiting from it, someone needs to do something to change it. You can't be too nice in that situation."

With gamesmanship top of the agenda as the FA look to clampdown on cheats through the use of video technology, Benitez says there is an onus on the biggest stars to be role models.

"The top clbutt players and clubs need to give an example to others," he said.

"Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are on television more than other smaller teams. Youngsters will be influenced by what our players do, so it's really important for us to understand we have a responsibility in football to win, but also show fair play."

Djimi Traore is the only current injury concern ahead of tomorrow's pay-per-view televised trip to West Brom. Steven Gerrard is suspended.