Rafa: We’re Playing Our Lads Too Hard

Rafael Benitez has spoken out against the accelerated FA Cup schedule that finds him needing both Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard for the second time in three days today.

“All the English players, if they played twice in three days, will be more at risk,” said the Liverpool gaffer. “I’m sure you cannot see the best of players like Gerrard and Carragher just three days after another game. The England players playing two games in three days will be more at risk of injuries. The FA needs to look at it.” (For some reason, he doesn’t name Peter Crouch.)

By my rough count, of the remaining FA Cup sides, Liverpool’s got those three certain England players, Chelsea’s got three (Terry, Lampard, Cole), and Charlton’s got one or two (Bridge, D. Bent). I would agree with Rafa that they’re overworked.

As for the Champion’s League, Arsenal, the only remaining English side, have two potential national team players — Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole — who remain injured, though Sol did play for Arsenal reserves on Monday.