Rafa has revealed he has held talks with midfielder Mohamed Sissoko and urged him to battle for his place in the side.

The Mali international has struggled for form this season and was left out of the Reds' squad for the game with Tottenham after a disappointing display in the Champions League defeat by Marseille.

But Benitez insists he still supports the player, and said: "I see he is giving everything to play well. For our supporters that is the first thing any player must do."

Talking to the club's official website, Benitez added: "Momo was a key player when we won 82 points in the Premier League. Now we need to give him time to allow him to regain his confidence.

"I spoke to him after the Marseille game and said 'keep going'. He knows how I work because I managed him when he was 18 at Valencia, where he won the league and UEFA Cup with me."

Labels: rotation policy, sissoko