Benitez blasts ‘not important’ World Cup as injury list grows

RAFAEL BENITEZ has launched an astonishing attack on the World Cup and claims that it damages the big clubs’ chances of success.

The Liverpool manager also insists that there is far more chance of players being injured when they return from major tournaments as their clubs find themselves immediately playing vital Champions League matches that can dictate their future and finances.

Benitez’s side take on West Ham today at Anfield without a clutch of injured stars and with others who played in the World Cup way short of the standards he believes they require.