RAFA: WORLD CUP WILL INSPIRE MY PLAYERS

Rafael Benitez is confident his World Cup stars won't let their minds wander towards next summer's finals before their domestic campaign is over. Liverpool are likely to have at least ten players involved in Germany, with Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch, Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Fernando Morientes, Pepe Reina, Harry Kewell, Djibril Cisse and Jerzy Dudek all guaranteed a place in their respective squads for the competition.

Didi Hamann and Stephen Warnock will be hoping to force their way into contention as well over the remainder of this season.

But far from seeing the World Cup as something of a distraction for his players, Benitez believes the opportunity to play on the world's greatest stage will inspire his international stars over the coming months.

"I look at it from a positive point of view," he said. "I don't believe it will be a distraction for the players, but achieving qualification will relax those who are going.

"They know when they go away with their national team in the new year it's not about playing 100 per cent to win, but preparing for the World Cup. They won't be under as much pressure as they have been in the qualifiers.

"At the end of the season it will be impossible for any manager to try and control the situation and stop people thinking or talking about the World Cup. You can't succeed in that. But every big club will have that problem and it's then up to the individual players to help us manage the situation.

"The main thing for us is to be in contention to win trophies at the end of the season, because that makes it easier for players to keep their focus on what they're doing for their club. At the end of the season, much will depend on the attitude of each individual player. I expect them all to be professional and know exactly what is needed for the club and I'm sure the players we have here will be."

He added: "Some players know they have to do their best during the course of a season to make sure they go to the World Cup. Of course, some of them know it is certain they will be in the national team, but others know they must keep their level high for their club in order to stay in their squad.

"There are other players who aren't in the squad at the moment who could improve their level and earn selection, so each case is different."

Jay -- LIVERPOOL FC - KINGS OF EUROPE MANCHE$TER BUCCANEERS & BLUEpooE - KINGS OF COMEDY