Rafa reveals Aqua absence

Alberto Aquilani has been ruled out of Wednesday's trip to Arsenal through illness, Rafa Benitez today confirmed.

The Italy midfielder is suffering from a similar bug to that which affected Martin Skrtel last week.

Benitez told his pre-match press conference: "We have Aquilani who was ill and vomiting, so he will not be in the squad. He's too weak now.

"It is not too serious. We had problems with Skrtel this weekend. He was also vomiting and lost four kilograms."

Asked for an update on the injuries to Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and Glen Johnson, the gaffer added: "The three of them are doing well. These injuries need time but we're on schedule. It's still two or three weeks at least."

Benitez was then quizzed on his winless record at the Emirates.

He responded: "Always you have an opportunity to improve. Arsenal are a good team but we've had very good games here (in Liverpool). We won 4-1 one time and the 4-4 was an amazing game.

"The last game we lost we were on top of them in the first half. An own goal changed everything and we were in a bad moment with not much confidence. We have more confidence now."

Arsenal go into the game on the back of demoralising defeats to Chelsea and Manchester United - and Benitez is wary of a backlash.

"Sometimes it's more difficult because they will try to prove something," said the Spaniard. "I was watching the game against Chelsea. You can talk about the result now but they had some opportunities and around 70 per cent of possession."

The boss also had words of praise for counterpart Arsene Wenger, adding: "He is a fantastic manager doing a very good job for 15 years in a foreign country. Hopefully in 15 years I'll be here!"

One man who won't face Arsenal is in-form defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who starts a three-game ban following Saturday's dismissal for a foul on Marouane Fellaini.

Benitez said: "We have to manage. We were not happy with the decision but we can't change the situation. We have to adapt with Skrtel, Carra and Agger.

"Soto was playing some games, against Stoke for example, where we needed to be strong in the air. He was doing really well. Afterwards Skrtel was the same and Carra at right full-back is doing well. We also have Agger coming back.

"We had massive problems at the beginning with centre-backs but we have them all available, so we can manage."

Meanwhile, Benitez dismissed suggestions Liverpool are signing Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh.

He said: "I don't think that he will come with us."