Benitez will not leave Le Tallec face Reds

RAFAEL Benitez has refused permission for Anthony Le Tallec to play for Sunderland against Liverpool this month - in case the forward damages the Champions League qualification hopes of his parent club.

Le Tallec, on loan at the Stadium of Light, looks set to lead Sunderland's attack after his first-team chances at Anfield were limited.

But he will not be allowed play against Liverpool away on August 20.

"Of course I would want to play against Liverpool but I cannot. I asked Benitez if I could and he told me no.

"He said that if I scored against Liverpool and they finished fifth in the league it would not be good for me or for them," Le Tallec said.

"But to be honest I'm not thinking about Liverpool, I'm thinking about Sunderland."

"I'm looking forward to putting on a Sunderland shirt and showing what I can do," he added.