Liverpool FC are definitely not the same without Gerrard and Torres..everybody knows that.We are surely lacking in matchwinners unlike the other big teams when they don't depend too much on only 2-3 players in their team. But,how unfit are Torres and Gerrard? Some reports suggest that the duo need to be operated but Rafa is trying his best to postpone the operations. Well I think if they need operations,we should just go with it.Not really sure what other fans say about this.
Anyway I quote this from The Sun UK today.
RAFA BENITEZ is prepared to risk Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres against Birmingham tonight.
It is a desperate bid to get Liverpool's season back on track.
The Reds boss admits neither of his two superstars is fit enough to last 90 minutes, as they both battle against recurring groin problems.
And Benitez will tell the managers of England and Spain it would be pointless picking the duo for next week's international friendlies.
But with Liverpool frantic to turn around a run of just one win in eight games, both are likely to be pressed into action at Anfield.
Benitez said: "Gerrard has lost part of his fitness and we will see if he can play against Birmingham or be on the bench. But we know he will not be fully fit.
"He has been training with the physios, not the team, and I know our doctor was talking with the English doctor so they know the situation.
"When a player has not trained with the team for 15 days, he cannot be 100 per cent fit. Available? We will see. They are two different things.
"But he is doing well. He takes care of himself, is a very good professional and we have a very good medical staff. So I think that we can manage.
"We needed to push him a bit before, when he was not fully fit, and we have to wait and see what happens the next time. Fernando was with a Spanish specialist and talking with our staff.
"We know the situation and have to carry on. All we can do is ask how the player is now and make a decision.
"We have to do the best for the players and the best for the team.
"The priority is to have the players for a long time and do the right thing."
Torres has been advised by the Spanish specialist to rest for three weeks.
Yet Benitez insists that does not necessarily mean he has to stop playing. He added: "Fernando has to work with the physios. What can you do when they say rest? It's not just in bed. He will not play if he doesn't go with Spain, so he can just keep working with the physios.
"It's our decision if he plays against Birmingham or not. He is feeling better than he was before, so can carry on with the pain. It's not a problem.
"The question is whether he'll be fully fit or not. But playing him is not a risk.
"If we decide to play him it's because it will be good for the team and not a big problem for the player.
"We know 100 per cent it's not a problem."
Liverpool will be under even more pressure to claim three points, with Tottenham and Aston Villa both stepping up their bids for a place in the top four with wins on Saturday.
Only Manchester City did them a favour by stumbling to a fifth successive draw at home to Burnley.
Yet Benitez is convinced his team is still in a good position. He declared: "You can see the table and it is not a big, big difference.
"It's a question of one or two games and then everything will be different.
"We have to keep working and in one or two months' time I am 100 per cent sure that we will be higher in the table and it will all be totally different.
"The priority, as it was before, is to win against Birmingham. Expectations are really high and it has to be like this.
"When we were winning games in a row, everyone was thinking maybe it will be our year.
"But then we were losing and everyone said that it would be very difficult, if not impossible.
"Too many things have happened like the beach ball or the late goals we conceded against Lyon. They have proved to be a big difference.
"But, hopefully, that will change for the rest of the season and it will be more positive for us.
"The main thing for me is to keep the team working as hard as they are now.
"And maybe to have just a little bit more luck in the last minute.
"Then, if we can win one or two games, it will be totally changed.
"Maybe then we will be talking about another target."
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Just hope the duo will leave the field unscathed today ( and we win too )...or Rafa will invite more criticisms from all corners of the world!
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