Benitez wants managers to control
their emotions
LIVERPOOL, England, Nov 10 (Reuters) - Liverpool's Rafael Benitez
has urged his rival premiership managers to control their emotions
after last Sunday's touchline row between Arsenal's Arsene Wenger
and West Ham's Alan Pardew.
Liverpool play Arsenal on Sunday and Bentiez does not want a repeat
of the incident that blighted last weekend's game.
"You must be disappointed when you see problems between the
managers. We must be an example for young boys that try and play
football," he told reporters on Friday.
"It was a bad situation. Sometimes you cannot control your temper
but as managers we must do it. Managers have a responsibility and
while you can be passionate, afterwards you must be polite.
"People were talking here about (former Liverpool manager) Bill
Shankly having passion and nothing happened with him."
Liverpool and Arsenal have both struggled to mount a title
challenge this season and Benitez said his side could not afford to
lose many more matches and still hold out hope of winning the
Premier League.
"It's important to beat the top teams, but when you are 11 points
behind it's important not to lose any games -- especially against
the top sides," he said.
"We know we need to win in the premiership and we need to win
against the top sides."
Liverpool are without midfielder Momo Sissoko for the next three
months after he underwent surgery to repair a dislocated
shoulder.
"It is a blow for us. When I look at my team I always think which
players can keep playing and Momo could always play," Benitez said.
"Even if the game were two days later he would be fit. He is a big
player for us."
