Rafa back on league warpath as Reds held

RAFAEL BENITEZ has repeated his criticism of the Premier League after Liverpool were handed an early Saturday kick-off and long journey south immediately after a number of their players had been on international duty.

Liverpool surrendered the lead in the top flight after the 0-0 draw at Fratton Park, but they were indebted to goalkeeper Jose Reina after he saved Kanu’s penalty as Arsenal leapfrogged the Merseyside team to top the table.

Benitez then explained his team selection and revealed why he had left Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres on the bench for much of the game.