If Liverpool's trouble and strife is emanating mainly from within, the embattled club could be the target for slings and arrows from outside this weekend. The team selection of Rafael Benítez for the Barclays Premier League match against Fulham at Craven Cottage tomorrow will be scrutinised under a microscope.

Fulham officials will not care a jot. The weaker the Liverpool manager's line-up the better, they will conclude privately. Yet among Bolton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Reading, their fellow strugglers in the battle against relegation, there will be concern that Benítez may field what amounts to a second XI.

Liverpool take on Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday. Benítez is a renowned advocate of the rotation system and it is likely that he will rest many of his leading players against Fulham for the European tie at Anfield three days later.

Benítez has history at Craven Cottage, too. At a similar stage of the campaign last season, Liverpool had just overcome Chelsea in their Champions League semi-final and were beginning the countdown to the final against AC Milan. Benítez made nine changes for the match away to Fulham, who won 1-0. Sheffield United, who were ultimately relegated, were most upset at the time as the result proved crucial to Fulham avoiding the drop by one point.

Gary Megson, the Bolton manager, made light of history possibly repeating itself tomorrow. “I gather that, coincidentally, the same happened last year and there was quite a big furore about what team Rafa should pick,” Megson said. “That's Rafa's and Liverpool's business.

“We have to make sure that we get the results that we want. It's not my place to be having a say what team Rafa should play. Even if he rests one or two players, he's got a fantastic squad there from which he should still be able to make an exceptionally strong team.”

The little-known Gabriel Paletta and Emiliano Ensua played at Craven Cottage last season, with Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Javier Mascherano not even travelling to the capital. Insua, an Argentine left back, could feature again tomorrow, although Benítez's line-up may be supplemented by Jermaine Pennant, Yossi Benayoun and John Arne Riise.

“It's a boost when you see the opposition's teamsheet and they have left out their star names,” Simon Davies, the Fulham winger, said. “But whoever Liverpool put out, it will be a tough match.”

In section E of the Premier League rulebook, it states: “In every league match, each participating club shall field a full-strength team.” However, the League takes the view that the nuances of the training ground - players' lack of form and niggling injuries - are not always known and that the top clubs should have squads large enough to cope with all demands. If in doubt, the “rotation” answer would appear to cover even the most awkward questions.

Birmingham may also benefit from Benítez's chopping and changing. They play Liverpool at St Andrew's four days before the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, does not appear too perturbed, either. His team won 3-1 against a below-strength Liverpool line-up - three days before their Champions League group A match against Marseilles - in December.

“I'm not bothered [about the Liverpool team against Fulham],” Coppell said. “You trust in the integrity of the league and I see no reason to doubt that. Whatever happens, you can't criticise Rafa because his rotation policy is famous. If we win our games, it's not an issue. It's important that we don't get wrapped up with expecting favours from someone else. We've got to look after our own little patch of grass.”