by LFC2007 » Tue Aug 18, 2009 2:13 pm
Rafa Benitez will make a late decision on the fitness of centre-back Martin Skrtel ahead of the clash with Stoke City on Wednesday.
The Slovakia international was substituted in the second half of our 2-1 defeat to Tottenham after an earlier clash of heads with Jamie Carragher.
Benitez told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "We have to wait. Daniel Agger will be out for at least two or three more weeks. Skrtel was training this morning and we will decide tomorrow. Carra is okay."
The Spaniard was quizzed on the fitness of Fernando Torres following his Confederation Cup antics in the summer.
He replied: "The summer has been difficult for some players. The Spanish players and Dossena have been training for maybe 15 days, no more. They want to be fit but it's not easy. Maybe physically they can be more or less ready but then you need match fitness and you need to play games.
"Torres is not tired but match fitness is something you can only get during the season."
Wednesday's opponents Stoke were the only Barclays Premier League side to stop Liverpool scoring last term as they earned two unlikely draws.
The Anfield stalemate proved particularly frustrating after a wrongly-disallowed Steven Gerrard goal.
Benitez knows the tally of seven home draws cost his side last term - but insists our form in L4 was not the only factor in us finishing behind Manchester United.
"Clearly we lost some points but we won a lot of games at the end too," said the boss. "You never know what costs you but one or two draws could have made the difference.
"I think the timing is also important if you draw a game when you could have put pressure on another team.
"But last season, United's game against Aston Villa and the famous penalty against Tottenham, these also made a massive difference."
Asked how he hoped to improve Liverpool's home form, Benitez pointed to the acquisition of attacking full-back Glen Johnson.
The England man won a penalty with a foray forward on Sunday - and the gaffer believes such skills will prove essential in breaking down stubborn opposition.
"We signed Johnson to be more offensive," he said.
Despite proving an irritant, Benitez has respect for the resilience shown by Tony Pulis's newly-promoted Potters in 2008-09.
He said: "They are doing well with the games they've had. The manager is clever; he uses his players really well. They are physical but also well organised. They try to play to their strengths."
Wednesday's game gives Liverpool an opportunity to banish their opening day blues.
Benitez added: "To play at home is always good for us. The first game in front of our fans, and we know about the draws last year. We have to improve, we have to play well, we have to create chances and we have to take our chances - that's it.
"We have to keep possession well and be patient because we will have chances."
Benitez also faced questions regarding transfers.
Asked about newspaper reports linking Albert Riera with a return to Spain, he added: "No, it's not true."
Reporters then quizzed the boss on his attacking options.
"We always talk about Gerrard and Torres who we play as strikers, but we also have Voronin, Babel, Ngog and Kuyt," he replied. "We have enough people. The question is that Torres and Gerrard are key players for us. They normally have to play more games than the others and have to be fit."
Meanwhile, Benitez believes there could be a case for introducing technology into the game to aid referees.
The Reds had two penalty shouts turned away at White Hart Lane on Sunday, while in the Championship Crystal Palace were denied a clear goal against Bristol City.
"Maybe we will need technology in the future," said Benitez. "I was always against it but maybe now we need it. You saw the goal disallowed the other day in the Championship. Maybe it will be necessary in the future."
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