Liverpool have confirmed that captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres will miss their trip to Sunderland.
Star duo miss Sunderland trip
Liverpool have confirmed that captain Steven Gerrard and star striker Fernando Torres will miss their trip to Sunderland.
The talismanic pair both picked up groin injuries whilst on international duty last week.
Neither were able to feature for their countries in midweek, and now Liverpool have confirmed the pair will miss their trip to Wearside.
It now remains to be seen how look they are out for, but boss Rafa Benitez is hopeful they will be available for the midweek UEFA Champions League clash with Lyon.
"Both Steven and Fernando still have some problems," Benitez confirmed.
"They will need more time and won't be available this weekend. I think they could be available for next week."
Benitez refused to be drawn on reports that he was unhappy with both the English and Spanish medical teams for not sending Gerrard and Torres back sooner.
"We were talking with our medical staff and analysing all the problems, but now we can't change the situation and would prefer to concentrate on Sunderland," he said.
"I need to worry about the players I have rather than those I don't."
Kuyt boost
With Gerrard and Torres sidelined, Dirk Kuyt is set to lead the forward line after Benitez confirmed his ankle problem was not an issue.
"Kuyt is okay. He was training normally with the team and will be available," added Benitez.
There was some better news for the Liverpool chief as he confirmed Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos would only be sidelined for days, rather than months after a scan confirmed he had not sustained knee ligament damage.
"With Kyrgiakos we were really worried because people were talking about maybe six months, but after the scan we think one week to ten days. That's very positive," he said.
He also confirmed summer signing Alberto Aquilani is now training with the first team.
"His physical problems, he is okay and now he has to work on his condition and so hopefully he will be fitter next week," he said.
"But he is now training with the first team and that is the most important thing."
