Rafael Benitez has reacted angrily to suggestions from Harry Kewell's controversial agent that the player should be resting, as Rafa formulates his team for tonight's crucial game against Bayer Leverkusen.

Kewell, who has been struggling to overcome injuries to his groin and Achilles, is likely to return as a front-runner in the first leg against the Germans after an absence of two months. The manager of Australia's national side, Frank Farina, and the former Leeds United player's agent, Bernie Mandic, have both expressed the opinion that Kewell should be resting, but Benitez heaped gritty contempt upon them by instructing them to back off and reminding them that Liverpool pay his wages.

"I'm not happy with the people around Harry talking all the time and not doing the best things for him," Benitez said. "I don't know if the manager and agent are doctors, but he is a key player for us and we want to see the best of him, not hear them talking all the time."

The Spaniard continued in bullish vein: "Harry has trained properly for the past 10 days. He is working hard and playing well. We have a very good medical department and they say he is fit. He is our player: we pay him and we control him; we want to see the best of him and we know what to do to achieve that. The only thing other people must do is to say to him: 'Play as well as possible'."

Kewell, who played as a striker for an hour in a reserve fixture last week, is earmarked to start against Leverkusen because of the unavailability of Fernando Morientes (cup-tied) and Steven Gerrard (suspended). He has not enjoyed the best of seasons, in respect of either form or fitness. However, Benitez hopes that a capacity crowd at Anfield - and the prospect of claiming a place in Sunday's Carling Cup final against Chelsea in Cardiff - might coax the player into reprising the finishing flair he demonstrated during Leeds' run to the semi-finals in 2000-01

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