Benitez targets Wembley

Rafa Benitez has spoken of his desire to become the first Liverpool manager to win silverware at the new Wembley stadium as the Reds prepare to resume their Carling Cup campaign tonight.

Liverpool have not lifted a trophy at the national stadium since a League Cup final triumph over Bolton Wanderers in 1995, while the Reds are also yet to play a match at Wembley since its redevelopment two years ago - statistics the boss is hoping to change.
 
While Benitez admits he will make changes to his starting line-up for this evening's clash with Arsenal at the Emirates, the Spaniard insists the Carling Cup is a trophy the Reds are keen to bring back to Anfield.
 
"If you can progress in a competition, that is what you have got to do," he said. "You have got to select the right players for each game and it depends on the programme you have.
 
"But we are always thinking about progressing and winning and the Carling Cup gives us that first opportunity. I would love to win a trophy with Liverpool at Wembley."
 
The two teams last met in this competition in January 2007 at Anfield when a Julio Baptista inspired Arsenal claimed a 6-3 victory in front of the Kop.
 
However, Benitez believes the events of that night will have no bearing on tonight's encounter, and stressed the importance of trying to build on Sunday's victory over Manchester United.
 
"We try to approach things always one game at a time," said the Reds boss. "It's the Carling Cup and it's Arsenal, so it is a little bit different to normal.
 
"But the mentality and the confidence will always be the same; we know we have got to go down there and win and the players will be ready.
 
"Every year is different and you cannot think too much about what happened in the past because circumstances change all the time. To beat Arsenal - or any of the top sides - is a challenge and that is always our target. It doesn't matter what the competition is, always you want to win."