Wednesday 15 October 2008

Liverpool Boss Benitez Wary Of Heskey Threat

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has claimed that his Reds side cannot afford to take anything for granted when they play Wigan Athletic in the next Premier League match on Saturday at Anfield.

Benitez is only too aware of the threat posed by Steve Bruce’s Latics, having only being able to draw with their North West rivals in the corresponding fixture last year. With Benitez prepared for another tough Premiership encounter after the shrewd summer recruitment at the JJB Stadium, which has seen Egyptian Amr Zaki emerge as one of the finds of the summer transfer window.

“We know not to take anything for granted against Wigan because two points slipped away against them last season of course," Benitez told the official club website.

“It was a bad game. I think we deserved to win but anyway, you have to score a second goal and finish the game if you want to avoid these situations."

“We know the Premier League is very difficult and all the teams have something and can be strong in the air and play with determination. When they come to Anfield you know it will be really difficult so we have to be alert and be careful next time.

“But the team has more confidence now and I think we can approach the games thinking about just to finish it as soon as possible.”

The former Valencia coach also commented on the return to Anfield of former player Emile Heskey, with the Spaniard identifying the striker as a threat on his return to Merseyside.

Benitez said: “Clearly he is a good striker and also has experience at Liverpool. We know he will be a threat."

“We will see who will play? Agger is here and was training with us today. With Sami {Hyppia} we need to check because it is always a risk when the player is away on international duty. So we will see, but it will be difficult because both players are really good.”

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