Rafa Benitez feels his Liverpool squad proved a point in their 2-0 victory over Fulham.
Liverpool boss hits back at rotation criticism
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez believes his squad proved a point to the rest of the Premier League in their 2-0 victory over Fulham.
The Reds lost 1-0 away to relegation threatened Fulham last season as Benitez fielded a weakened side ahead of a UEFA Champions League showdown with Chelsea, which earned the Liverpool boss criticism from a number of other Premier League bosses.
And this season it was a case of déjà vu as Liverpool travelled to Craven Cottage ahead of Tuesday's first leg meeting with Chelsea in the final four of Europe.
Bolton boss Gary Megson - who is also battling against the drop - had urged Benitez to field a full-strength side, but the plea appeared to fall on deaf ears as the Spaniard made eight changes to the side which defeated Blackburn last weekend.
Strength in depth
But as goals from Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch secured the points in West London, Benitez believes his side demonstrated their strength in depth.
"When you have 38 games you have a lot to do yourself," Benitez told
Sky Sports News when asked if he had been angered by speculation he would field a weakened side.
"Everybody needs to concentrate on their own team. I don't know the team selection of the other team so I try to win with my team."
Meanwhile, Benitez praised the performance of his squad and the Spaniard believes he now has far better players at his disposal in comparison with this time last season.
Quality
"The team is playing well and we are winning games," Benitez added.
"Today we were using players that needed to prove their qualities so that is why I am really pleased with the performance of the team.
"This year we have a better squad and you saw today we have enough quality. If you want to fight for trophies you have to use the squad."
