Wenger adds to Rafa's woes

Arsenal boss would rather play at Anfield

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 14th January 2008

Wenger adds to Rafa's woes

Wenger: Anfield criticism

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Arsene Wenger has increased the pressure on under-fire Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez by admitting a trip to Everton is now more of a challenge than playing at Anfield.

Benitez has received heavy criticism this campaign as his Liverpool side have failed to live up to their early season billing of title challengers.

And Benitez's future with the Reds has been thrown further in to doubt after club owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks revealed they held talks with Jurgen Klinsmann, who was recently appointed Bayern Munich boss, about replacing Benitez.

Wenger has now fuelled the fires at Anfield by revealing playing Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton is a more daunting fixture.

"Liverpool is the same kind of support but Everton is a bit more aggressive because Everton is up at the moment," said Wenger.

"Over the last one or two years, especially, it has been one of the noisiest grounds and has a great atmosphere.

"Liverpool is the same but now a little bit more genteel."

Meanwhile, Wenger has admitted that he considered re-signing Nicolas Anelka before the former Bolton striker moved to Chelsea on Friday.

Anelka made his name as he fired Arsenal to a Premier League and FA Cup double in the 1997/98 season before completing a lucrative £23.5million move to Real Madrid in 1999.

However, Wenger has revealed he almost made a summer swoop for Anelka following his fine form for Bolton last season.

"It might have happened. I think he felt he wanted to put something right, but it didn't work out," Wenger added.

"I don't know if I would have wanted to sign him again. You always get the feeling you should let somebody go who has left but there was some consideration, yes."