Embattled Benitez goes on defensive

Soccer English League Cup Semi-final, second leg: Rafael Benitez has gone on the defensive as his much-maligned Liverpool side bid to lift the gloom over Anfield by reaching the League Cup final. The Spanish manager has heard his fledgling

regime heavily criticised and the quality of his signings questioned.

Coupled with a perceived insult to the traditions of the FA Cup by fielding an under-strength side, and their three successive defeats, Liverpool have hardly had the ideal build-up to the second leg of their semi-final against Watford. Benitez has found himself having to defend the likes of Luis Garcia, Mauricio Pellegrino and Fernando Morientes against claims they are not up to standard.

Watford will feel confident of springing an upset as they go into the Vicarage Road encounter trailing only 1-0 from their Anfield meeting a fortnight ago.

Benitez said: "I know the fans are disappointed, but please do not think the staff here do not feel the same way . . . I have confidence in what I am doing, I am not here to just worry about my first bad situation."

Liverpool have fresh injury problems for the trip, with defender Sami Hyypia now added to the list of absentees. Pellegrino, Morientes, Luis Garcia and new goalkeeper Scott Carson will all be in the squad and there is a chance right-backs Josemi or Steve Finnan - both fighting hamstring injuries - could be fit.

That would enable Jamie Carragher to take Hyypia's place in the centre alongside Pellegrino, whose lack of match fitness and pace has been painfully obvious.

Of his signings, Benitez said: "I have no doubts about Pellegrino because he is a winner, and Morientes too, he is a fantastic player. There is no doubt about the quality of these players. And Luis Garcia is a skilled player and he is intelligent. He needs to know his own qualities and to use them, because it is different for him to play here than in Spain. He needs to learn how to play here."

Benitez accepts Liverpool need to regain their confidence quickly to salvage their season and a defeat at Watford would just deepen the crisis.

"We played very well at Christmas time, but now not so well, so the only thing you can say to the supporters is that we have not stopped working hard to find the best for the club and we will try to find the best players. If we make mistakes we will learn and try to change, and perhaps there could be someone else in before the end of the deadline."

Watford manager Ray Lewington is set to field his strongest possible side tonight after resting several key men at the weekend. Top-scorer Heidar Helguson, Neal Ardley, Paul Devlin and Neil Cox were not selected against Wigan, while Gavin Mahon and Brynjar Gunnarsson were left on the bench. All are expected to return.

On-loan midfielder Christopher Eagles is unavailable because he played for Manchester United in previous rounds, with Johnnie Jackson, having done likewise for Tottenham, also ruled out.

Defender Shaun Dyche is still ruled out because of a groin injury.

Watford v Liverpool, Vicarage Road, 7.45, n TV: Sky Sports 1