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General Sports News

Rafa wants more respect

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 10/03/2009

Rafael Benitez has demanded more respect for the job he has done as manager of Liverpool.

The Spanish coach has surprised online betting experts by leading the Reds to two Champions League Finals - winning one in Istanbul in 2005 - during his four-and-a-half year reign but doesn't believe he is given the credit his record deserves.

Benitez has spoken out ahead of a vital period in Liverpool's season as they take on Real Madrid in a Champions League last 16 second leg clash on Tuesday night before a Premier League title showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Meanwhile, United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has admitted he needs to improve his reaction to challenges following a series of high-profile incidents this season.

The Portugal international was involved in a flare-up with Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor last week and has been widely criticised for petulant kicks at Stoke's Andy Wilkinson and Michael Dawson of Tottenham this season.

In cricket, Graeme Swann still believes England can snatch a series-saving victory from the jaws of a draw in the fifth Test against West Indies.

After ending day four with a lead of 82 runs, England must add quickly to their second-innings score of 80-3 at the Queen's Park Oval if they are to stand any chance of bowling West Indies out and winning the match to level the series at 1-1.

Off-spinner Swann believes England can set a total of 270 before bowling the home side out in a dramatic final day's play.

Meanwhile, Monty Panesar is in trouble in the Caribbean after the Northamptonshire spinner was fined 25 per cent of his match fee after indulging in a spate of over-zealous appealing during West Indies' first innings.

Ryan Sidebottom will definitely miss England's limited overs matches on the tour.

The Nottinghamshire seamer, who missed the fifth Test with an Achilles injury, will play no part in the forthcoming one-day or Twenty20 matches and his place in the squad will be taken by Kent paceman Amjad Khan.

In rugby union, a torn hamstring has ended Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel's Six Nations campaign.

England have also been hit by the news that Shane Geraghty has been ruled out of their remaining games against France and Scotland after fracturing a bone in his left hand.

Meanwhile, Scotland have recalled full-back Chris Paterson to their starting line-up for Saturday's clash with Grand Slam-chasing Ireland at Murrayfield.

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