Rested Keane denied a return to Spurs

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez has confirmed both Steven Gerrard and Robbie Keane will definitely be rested for tonight’s Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Tottenham.

And he has intimated Jamie Carragher, Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso could also be left out.

Benitez wants to rest several senior players – some of whom have played six games in 18 days.

He said: “It’s difficult to play so many games in a row and you have to change some players depending on the competition. The majority of them can play games in a row but some need to be taken care of.

“Gerrard is one of them at this moment. Dirk Kuyt is another who has played almost every game. Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher and Robbie Keane are the same.

“You also have to consider that some of these players have played internationals this season too. I believe Keane has played 23 games already.

“We will use players who haven’t played every game. I have confidence in them because they are all internationals.”

One big name not needing a rest is Fernando Torres, who requires match practice after missing six games with a hamstring tear.

Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp admits Tottenham will lose their grip on the trophy if there is a repeat of their performance against Liverpool during his first week in charge.

Spurs could have been dead and buried only for Jamie Carragher’s own goal and a last-ditch winner from Roman Pavlyuchenko to give them a 2-1 victory.

“We played Liverpool and beat them but let’s face it, they murdered us,” Redknapp said.

Redknapp has Benoit Assou-Ekotto suspended and Ledley King in need of rest, and he has the option of involving fringe players such as Paul Stalteri, Ricardo Rocha, Adel Taarabt, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Hossam Ghaly.