GARY Megson has denied trying to put pressure on Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez to play his strongest teams in Premier League matches.

The Reebok boss remarked last week that he expected Benitez to pick strong sides for the Reds' Premiership games against Wanderers' Premiership rivals Fulham and Birmingham, despite having his mind on the Champions League semi-final clash with Chelsea.

That was interpreted in certain quarters as an attempt to influence the Spaniard's team selections and brought a snappy response from Anfield.

But Megson insists there is no spat with Benitez.

"Nothing's further from the truth," he said.

"In fact I've got nothing but admiration for him as a manager and Liverpool are one of the bastions of world football."

Despite resting a number of his big names, including Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, ahead of tomorrow's Anfield leg of the Champions League showdown, Liverpool won 2-0 at Fulham.

It was a result that helped Wanderers open a five-point gap above the Cottagers, who now looked doomed to relegation.

And, the Anfield men could do Wanderers another big favour if they win at Birmingham on Saturday.

But Megson insists he never had any qualms.

"One or two people tried to suggest I have a problem with Rafa Benitez and Liverpool and what they may or may not do, but that was never the case," he said. "Even if that result hadn't gone as it did there wouldn't have been any criticism from me.

"He's rested players but still put out a team you could only dream about.

"There were things made of it that were maybe a little bit scurrilous but I never suggested that I should have any business in what Liverpool should do or shouldn't do."