Rafa ready to risk Gerrard

While Torres could also feature against Blues

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 9th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa ready to risk Gerrard

Gerrard: In Benitez's thoughts

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Rafa Benitez has revealed that Steven Gerrard could return to the Liverpool fold against Birmingham on Monday.

The Reds' talismanic skipper has played just 25 minutes of the club's last five games, unable to provide inspiration during a rough run of results.

Benitez is understandably keen to welcome the 29-year-old back into his plans as soon as possible, with Liverpool's season in danger of collapse.

It remains unclear as to whether Gerrard will ultimately require surgery on the niggling groin problem which has plagued him of late, but for now he looks set to answer an SOS call from his under-fire boss.

"He 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 and maybe he will be out," said Benitez.

"When a player has not trained with the team for 15 days he cannot be 100 per cent fit. Is he available? We will see. They are two different things."

Pain

Benitez is also ready to throw Fernando Torres into action against the Blues, despite the Spaniard struggling with a groin problem of his own.

The Liverpool chief insists his star striker is in better shape than he has been over recent weeks and claims it would be a calculated risk to use him against Alex McLeish's side.

He added: "It's our decision if he plays against Birmingham or not. He is feeling better than he was before so he can carry on with the pain.

"It's not a problem. It's a question of whether he'll be fully fit or not, but the decision 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."

Comments (13)

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Tim D (Liverpool fan) says...

It's a shame there is not enough cover for key players, there just is not enough depth in the squad. Rafa is the one to blame after being in charge for 5 years he should have built a strong squad to challenge for domestic and European titles. It's time to bring in someone with vision and passion...Rafa doesn't even celebrate when we score!!!! you have lost the desire to be manager of this great club....stand aside Rafa

Posted 10:07 9th November 2009

Nick Kerry (Sunderland fan) says...

go on Benitez, risk the long term fittness of englands main midfeild threat.... its always the same benitez rushing gerrard and torres back from injury because his squad arent capable of fighting their way out of a wet paper bag without them... it was clear torres was in pain against lyon but he still started the game... both players should be having the opperations they need but rafa knows his squad isnt good enough.. £220million+ spent and relying so heavilly on 2 players isnt good enough. if the 2 were out for the season , liverpool would struggle to finish in the top half.. why are liverpool fans still backing this fool?? can someone answer my question please?

Posted 09:57 9th November 2009

Craig Biggart (Liverpool fan) says...

it shows how much faith he has on the rest of the team when he has to risk his two best players against birmingham. Liverpool r over rated and will drop out of the top four this year. RAFA MUST GO!!!!

Posted 09:55 9th November 2009

Ryan James (liverpool fan) (Liverpool fan) says...

I'm no doctor, but it seems quite straight forward, if Steven Gerrard needs an operation, we should get on with it and get him back properly fit as soon as possible, to keep patching him up and risking him every week is stupidity. You are risking longer term injuries. Its desperation from Liverpool and the clearest acknowledgement that our squad is nowhere near good enough.

Posted 09:47 9th November 2009

Kyle King (Celtic fan) says...

Moses, Torres was good against Lyon, but the choice Benitez has to make is ,should he play Torres and risk causing him further damage on a longer basis or let him rest and be in a better state to play in upcoming games? The 2nd option is wiser

Posted 09:46 9th November 2009

Colin Ward (Tamworth fan) says...

It is only a matter of time before these star players have a serious injury which could cause them to be out for the rest of the season. Playing them with niggles is asking for trouble. Pointing to lack of squad depth again. This is coming from a guy (me) who is about to undergo ACL reconstruction. My season is over. Admittedly I play at a low level of football but still it would the same for professionals.

Posted 09:37 9th November 2009

M Allison (Rangers fan) says...

I think that it is awful Benitez is playing Gerrard and Torres when they are not fully fit, especially when Torres needs surgery for a hernia! i think he could be ruining careers of two brilliant footballers, by aggrivating already pretty serious injuries, to save his own ruined career.

Posted 09:35 9th November 2009

Drew Bradbury (Liverpool fan) says...

HERE HERE, I agree he played well but, however being a liverpool fan i understand the bosses desire to turn the season round and try and rescue something form it, but i dont agree with rsiking players fitness for one game that we could probably win if he stopped playing that blond ukrainian who couldnt hit the broad side of a barn with a cannon. replace him with babel leave on torres benayoun and masch and see how we go. "COME ON YOU REDS"

Posted 09:35 9th November 2009

Chris Jones (Liverpool fan) says...

I wouldnt be risking Gerrard tonight, with all due respect we should be have the strength in depth to beat Birmingham without him. We still have a slight chance of Champions League qualification i would be saving him for that as we wont win the league anyway.

Posted 09:27 9th November 2009

Dwain Clark (Liverpool fan) says...

It might not be a problem for the team or Rafa, but surely playing with a hernia is a problem for Fernando! Which, could eventually be a problem for us when he's out for 6 weeks. Get him and Stevie G in for their Op's. Not doing so now, could cost us a Champions League place next season.

Posted 09:24 9th November 2009

Ibrahim Jasat (Liverpool fan) says...

After so long benitez has realised he needs to start with his strongest 11, he really needs to have a player clearance by next season and the likes of voronin,ngog,dossena,babel, and a few others. Some of these players do scpre goals but they aren't anything special and we need players that can step up when the team is in trouble. Just look at babel against lyon, he scored a stunner but the freekick after that just summed up his liverpool career.

Posted 09:22 9th November 2009

Peter James (Birmingham City fan) says...

Definately a worried Manager if he is considering risking two crock;s Gerrard & Torres tonight......I have a feeling it will be 1-2 to Birmingham with OUR Benitez a.k.a Chucho scoring both goals. K.R.O

Posted 08:48 9th November 2009

Moses Shah (Liverpool fan) says...

HI, i am only 10 years old and i think if fennando torres played against lyon superbly he can play great against birmingham 1 LIVERPOOL FAN

Posted 08:32 9th November 2009
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