Benitez to play injured Gerrard, Torres against Birmingham
London | November 09, 2009 1:11:50 PM IST
 

In a desperate bid to get Liverpool's season back on track, manager Rafa Benitez has said that he is prepared to risk playing injured midfielder Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres in their Premier League game against Birmingham tonight.

Benitez admits neither of his two superstars is fit enough to last 90 minutes, as they both are battling against recurring groin problems. But to turn around a run of just one win in eight games, both are likely to be pressed into action at Anfield.

"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," The Sun quoted Benitez, as saying.

"When a player has not trained with the team for 15 days, he cannot be 100 per cent fit. 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," he added.

The 49-year-old said that Torres is consulting a Spanish specialist and is in touch with the club 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," Benitez said.

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.

"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," Benitez said. (ANI)

 

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