BENITEZ PLANS O`NEILL HANDSHAKE
Rafael Benitez has smoothed over any conflict with England boss Fabio Capello - but he concedes Martin O'Neill may be more difficult.
The Liverpool boss can expect a vitriolic reception from Aston Villa fans in the wake of the Gareth Barry saga when the Anfield men face O'Neill's side on Sunday in a Premier League showdown.
And Benitez will come face to face with Villa boss O'Neill for the first time following a summer of acrimony between the pair over the abortive Barry transfer to Liverpool.
And O'Neill may well be a more difficult customer to placate than Capello was on Friday, following the groin operation for Steven Gerrard that will rule the Liverpool skipper out of both of England's World Cup qualifiers next month.
Capello was believed to have been annoyed he did not know Gerrard was going to have an operation following Wednesday's Champions League victory over Standard Liege.
And the Italian was on the phone sharpish on Friday. Benitez said: "Steven Gerrard has had the operation, it was not serious but he will not be available until after the international break.
"I have spoken today to Fabio Capello about the situation, he asked me how Steven was and it was a good conversation. Everything was positive between us and I have explained to him the timing and when he will be fit.
"We had no option but to have the operation done now, there will be another international break soon anyway, and we could not wait any longer.
"The player had problems and we needed to do it straight away, we had no choice. Fabio Capello understands this."
So one down, one to go for Benitez in the diplomatic department. O'Neill has been angry about the way Liverpool conducted their business in their chase for Barry.
Benitez knows the TV cameras will watch his every move on the touchline at Villa Park, but he insists he will have no problem shaking the hand of the Villa boss.
He said: "I do not know what response I will get on Sunday (from Villa fans) but I will be only concentrating on what goes on out on the pitch.
"I do not want to say too much, I do not want to analyse too much what has gone on before because we cannot change things now.
"I am now only concerned with how to beat Villa and how to control Barry on the pitch.
"Do I have a good relationship with Martin O'Neill?... I don't think so. But of course I will shake his hand, I am a calm man and I do not have any problems with him about that."
He added: "I had a good relationship with Martin O'Neill before this summer, and I was surprised at what has been said but I insist that I have not spoken to him since April.
"But I do not believe there will be any problem shaking hands, we can do it.
"We know that Barry is a good player, very good for them. We will try to contain him on the pitch and not talk too much about other things that have happened in the summer.
"It is important that we all concentrate on football. But I expect Barry to do his best for his team."
Benitez, who confirmed Espanyol winger Albert Riera will have a medical on Friday and is expected to complete an £8million move, was also at his diplomatic best when asked about yet another delay in the building of the club's new stadium in Stanley Park.
Benitez said: "As for the situation regarding the new stadium, it is not something I can do anything about so I prefer to concentrate on the next game and beating Aston Villa.
"We are trying not to think about this, we are concentrating on things we can have an effect on. It is not good news, but we cannot change things.
"At the moment I have too many other things to think about: Riera, the Champions League, Aston Villa. That is the immediate future I am concerned with.
"I understand very well our fans and what they may think, but they will understand that I must concentrate on the next match and three more points.
"I am sure everyone thinks the same way about the stadium (delays). But it not something I can do anything about, my responsibility now is to keep focused and think only of the points and improving."
Liverpool expect to have Javier Mascherano back to replace Gerrard in midfield, while youngster Lucas is back in the squad having also returned from the Olympics.
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