by KARMANI » Tue Feb 22, 2005 1:23 am
Rafael Benitez insists Liverpool are capable of achieving a positive result against Bayer Leverkusen, despite having to make do without key players Steven Gerrard and Fernando Morientes.
Gerrard is suspended for Tuesday night's Champions League second round first leg tie against the Germans, while Morientes is ineligible to play after appearing for Real Madrid in the competition earlier in the season.
The loss of both is a major blow to the Reds hopes of progressing to the last eight of the tournament but Benitez believes he has enough quality within his squad to cope.
"It's always good to have our best players available but this is not always the case," says Benitez. "It is normal to have player out through either suspension or injury and there is nothing we can do about it. We have been preparing for this game without those players and we have solutions.
"It is in attack were we are most affected but we have options to play alongside Milan (Baros). We have Kewell, Le Tallec, Garcia and Smicer. They all have experience."
Harry Kewell is line for his first game since injuring his groin against Newcastle in December and Benitez adds: "Harry is a good player, a key player for us, and I think he will play. He has been training well and we want to see the best of him."
Igor Biscan is the obvious option to replace Gerrard in the centre of midfield, with youngsters Darren Potter and John Welsh are also likely to be included in the squad.