Rafa warns of festive fixture overload
Benitez faces up to his third busy Christmas in the Premiership
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Thursday, 21, Dec 2006 11:58
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has bemoaned the number of games his Liverpool squad are due to face over the Christmas period.
The Reds are in action against Watford on Saturday before games against Blackburn on Boxing Day, Tottenham on December 30th and Bolton on New Year's Day and the former Valencia manager fears that strain will show on some of his key individuals.
"Four games is a lot. If you want to keep the tradition, maybe play two games, it would be enough," he said.
"You cannot play two games in three days - it is impossible for a player to be physically fit for the next game and there is a big risk for the players."
In addition to the physical demands that the fixture list places on his players, the Spaniard also described the difficulties in preparing his side mentally for the hectic time ahead.
"At this time you cannot do the same things. People are wishing you merry Christmas and it is impossible to say 'OK, now it is a normal week'. It is not a normal week," he said.
"It is really difficult - you must give them something but not all the things that maybe they deserve."
During his time in La Liga Benitez would have had an extended break from team affairs at this time of year, but he understands that he will never be afforded the same luxury in England.
"If you want to keep the tradition, maybe play two games, it would be enough. We want to play Boxing Day and we want to play New Year's Day - I feel that is enough," he said.