Serious Rafa's star turn

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Liverpool manager was expected to follow the pattern of recent seasons and field a severely weakened side. Instead, he included three of his biggest names in the squad that travelled south on Monday.

Torres could make a surprise start against Reading

Although all three could start on the bench, it still added substance to Benitez's claim that he is taking the competition seriously, after years of using it as a means of giving Anfield's untried youngsters some first team experience.

'We want to go as far as possible in the Carling Cup, that is for sure,' he said. 'How we go about it is the question. If we have a squad that is good enough to fight for four trophies then perfect. And I believe we have reached that stage now.

'I don't like to experiment and it is possible I will use a team full of senior players.'

New signing Charles Itandje accepts he has little chance of dislodging goalkeeper Pepe Reina but is hoping Benitez sticks to his usual policy of promoting his reserve keeper for Carling Cup games.

'We have a very good keeper who has been here three years,' said the 25-year-old Frenchman. 'I am clearly going to be No 2 but there are 60 matches a season and it is planned that I will play the League Cup and FA Cup.'

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp will put his 'terrific squad' theory firmly to the test on Tuesday when he makes changes for his side's tie at Burnley.

Redknapp made nine changes in personnel for the 3-0 victory over Leeds in the previous round from the side that lost 1-0 at Chelsea three days previously.

Matt Taylor, David Nugent, Noe Pamarot and Benjani Mwaruwari — all on the bench at Ewood Park — can expect to start, as well as Pedro Mendes, Richard Hughes and Arnold Mvuemba.

'You look at us now and we are a strong-looking team,' said Redknapp. 'You look at the back four and I honestly wouldn't swap them for any other in the country.'