Benitez will choose a strong team to face Watford

Anfield
By J Wade
January 12 2005

Rafael Benitez has confirmed that he will play a strong team in the Carling cup semi-final against Watford on Tuesday. Caotain Steven Gerrard and also Milan Baros are likely to start.

Benitez has said he is also likely to start with acadamy graduates Neil Mellor, Stephen Warnock and Darren Potter to face Watford. Local 20 year old keeper Paul Harrison again will be in reserve for Jerzy Dudek who starts.

Czech Republic striker Milan Baros will be back in Liverpool's line up after his hamstring injury. He is likely to lead Liverpool's attack in Tuesdays game against Watford.

The likes of David Raven, John Welsh, Zak Whitbread and Mark Smyth will not be in the Reds squad against Watford and neither will new signing Mauricio Pellegrino due to lack of fitness. Republic of Ireland Under-21 international winger Richie Partridge is also out as he is out for six weeks after knee surgery.

Benitez said: "We will play a strong side against Watford. It is important to win all the games we play and this is a semi-final and we are at home. With this match on the Tuesday the players will also get a chance to rest before Saturday."