Benitez defends comical Liverpool

Rafael Benitez today defended his decision to field a weakened team after his side suffered the FA Cup humiliation they deserved.

A comical own goal from Djimi Traore gave Burnley a 1-0 victory in a rearranged third round tie as Liverpool fielded five FA Cup debutants and only three players who started Saturday's Premiership defeat by Manchester United.

"We don't have the squad to compete in four competitions at the top level," Benitez said.

"You can't play all those games with the same players. It's impossible. If I'd used more senior players, perhaps we might have had problems in the next game - or in the Champions League.

"We played against Tottenham in the Carling Cup with young players and won, so we tried to do the same this time. I don't think it was a mistake. The fans will understand that we tried."

Liverpool have suffered serious injuries to 10 first-team players this season. Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Harry Kewell, Djbril Cisse, Chris Kirkland, John Arne Riise and Steve Finnan were all unavailable through injury last night, while new signings Fernando Morientes and Mauricio Pellegrino had not been registered in time.

But the apparent lack of respect for the FA Cup from Benitez will still have grated with Anfield supporters.

By the time that Milan Baros was introduced from the bench in the 66th minute for the hapless Traore, Burnley were well on their way to producing the shock of the competition so far.