Premier League team news: Liverpool assistant manager Sammy Lee denies Rafael Benitez is arrogant and insists Liverpool treat all opponents with respect. Last week the Spaniard came under fire from Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, who accused him of being disrespectful and full of contempt.
The comments were sparked by a gesture made by Benitez when his side scored the second of their four goals against Rovers at Anfield the previous Saturday.
Allardyce said it was a humiliating gesture that "typifies the man", while Ferguson waded into the row by describing the signal as an unforgivable show of contempt.
Benitez was not present at today’s press conference ahead of tomorrow’s important Premier League clash at home to Arsenal, but Lee give his boss his full backing.
"One thing I will say is Rafa is certainly not arrogant," said the former Reds midfielder. "I think it is quite sad really. We only get on with the job we have to do, we try not to consider what other people are thinking or saying about us.
"We are a humble football club, we have a healthy respect for everyone and the job in hand and, having that respect, win, lose or draw we have humility about ourselves.
"When we get out on that park we only try to affect what we can, which is our team.
"Any gestures made pitchside are made to our players, not to anyone else. If anyone sees anything in any gestures they are mistaken."
Lee, who was Allardyce's assistant manager for a spell at the Reebok, felt the current Blackburn boss should have voiced his concerns at the time if he felt there was an issue.
"I'm surprised Sam, if he felt that strongly about it, didn't mention it to me when we were sat having a drink after the game," he added. "We have a close relationship but I can't speak for what other people read into things. Whatever other people do is entirely up to them.
"We know what we want out of football and it is not for us to talk about other football clubs.
"This is Liverpool Football Club and when people are successful others will always want to knock you down."
Liverpool realistically have to win against Arsenal to keep their title hopes on track as United currently lead by a point with a match in hand.
Arsenal were losing FA Cup semi-finalists on Saturday and are in the last four of the Champions League, so Lee said Liverpool could not underestimate them.
"We have a healthy respect for Arsenal and we know it is going to be a very difficult game," he added. "For me each and every game has its own degree of difficulty. It is always nice when you know what you have got to do but we go out and prepare to win every game.
"If that sounds like arrogance I want that to stop that there. We don't prepare for failure, we know what we have to get out of each game - none more so than in these last six games.
"We can't look at what anyone else is doing or for anyone to do us favours, we have to do our own job."
A result will have to be achieved without captain Steven Gerrard, who is expected to remain sidelined for another seven to 10 days with a groin problem having sat out the last two matches.
However, with a week’s rest since their Champions League exit to Chelsea, Benitez may not feel the need to rotate his side too much against the Gunners.
For their part, Arsenal will be without leading scorer Robin van Persie (groin) and striker Emmanuel Adebayor (hamstring).
However, full-back Bacary Sagna has recovered from a virus and could feature at Anfield, along with fit-again Croatia forward Eduardo.
Despite his Wembley nightmare in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final, Lukasz Fabianski will again deputise in goal for Manuel Almunia (ankle), while defenders Gael Clichy (back), William Gallas (knee) and Johan Djourou (knee) are all sidelined.
Provisional Liverpool squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Skrtel, Dossena, Aurelio, Insua, Benayoun, Riera, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Ngog, El Zhar, Cavalieri.
Provisional Arsenal squad: Fabianski, Sagna, Toure, Silvestre, Gibbs, Arshavin, Song, Fabregas, Walcott, Bendtner, Eduardo, Mannone, Eboue, Nasri, Diaby, Vela, Denilson, Ramsey.
