Benitez wants sterner punishments

RAFAEL BENITEZ is calling on referees and football authorities to protect the top players by taking a tougher stance on dangerous tackles.

The Liverpool boss - preparing for tonight’s crucial Premiership clash with Arsenal - was appalled by the tackles he witnessed over the weekend.

He’s still fuming over the fact that goalkeeper Jose Reina is completing a three-match ban thanks to a ‘dive’ by Chelsea’s Arjen Robben, while potentially career-threatening tackles have gone relatively unpunished.