Benitez wants managers to control their emotions

Liverpool's Rafael Benitez has urged his rival premiership managers to control their emotions after last Sunday's touchline row between Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and West Ham's Alan Pardew.

Liverpool play Arsenal today and Benitez does not want a repeat of the incident that blighted last weekend's game.

"You must be disappointed when you see problems between the managers. We must be an example for young boys that try and play football," he told reporters on Friday.

"It was a bad situation. Sometimes you cannot control your temper but as managers we must do it. Managers have a responsibility and while you can be passionate, afterwards you must be polite.

"People were talking here about (former Liverpool manager) Bill Shankly having passion and nothing happened with him."

Liverpool and Arsenal have both struggled to mount a title challenge this season and Benitez said his side could not afford to lose many more matches and still hold out hope of winning the Premier League.

"It's important to beat the top teams, but when you are 11 points behind it's important not to lose any games - especially against the top sides," he said.

"We know we need to win in the premiership and we need to win against the top sides."

Liverpool are without midfielder Momo Sissoko for the next three months after he underwent surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder.

"It is a blow for us. When I look at my team I always think which players can keep playing and Momo could always play," Benitez said.

"Even if the game were two days later he would be fit. He is a big player for us."