Liverpool FC Forum

by **Toffeehater** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:34 am

Torres set to return

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres now seems almost certain to make his comeback from a hamstring strain in Liverpool's domestic clash with West Brom at Anfield on Saturday.

The striker has not played since the last international break on October 15 but both Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and captain Steven Gerrard are confident the 24-year-old will return against the midlands side.

Benitez said: "I believe Torres will be ready for the West Brom game at the weekend. It all depends on Fernando, he was not happy with his fitness so he did not play against Atletico.

"He said he was not confident, so you cannot take any risks with a hamstring injury.

"I will talk to the player during the rest of the week to see how he is after each training session. But I will also talk with the physio and the doctor for their view. But how Fernando feels will be the key."

And Gerrard, who grabbed the penalty equaliser against Atletico, cannot wait to see Torres back in action.

He said: "Hopefully Fernando will be ready come the weekend, we have missed him. He has been training all week and things look hopeful.

"We need to take three points against West Brom, but (Saturday's 2-1 reverse to Tottenham) has been our only defeat this season and we are more than happy with the way the season has gone so far."

If Torres again fails to make the squad to face the Baggies, Liverpool must decide whether to give him a run-out in the Carling Cup trip to Spurs next Tuesday, with a trip to Bolton on the Saturday, November 15.

Torres has another international break approaching fast with Spain having a home friendly against Chile at Villarreal's stadium on November 19 which may put his club on a collision course with Spain's FA. Torres has returned from international duty with an injury three times in the last eighteen months.

Benitez has been in talks with the Spanish FA over Torres' treatment while he is with the national squad and a set of special exercises have been drawn up for him to carry out each day to help the hamstring heal properly.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news....cc=4716

by **Rush Job** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:39 am

I expect a strong line up, the big players will get a rest in the league cup.

by **DanAn** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:34 am

I would consider resting Cara, Arbeloa and Alonso.
-----------Reina------------
Degen Hyppia Agger Dossena
Kuyt Gerrard Mascherano Riera
----Torres -----Keane--------

Then rest Gerrard and Riera in the league cup.

by **Toffeehater** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:43 am

No resting any players , full first team out and i hope the team have their scoring boots on if not we can expect the result of the last 2 matches and a repeat of the stoke one . I've got a sickening feeling that carson will have a blinder tomorrow

by **tonyeh** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:48 am

Yep, Have to agree.

Liverpool need to put this one to bed in the first half and take no chances. They can't allow the result on Saturday to end up like the Atletico game, or worse, like the Spurs game.

We though they were going to be wins, they turned out to be disasters in relative terms.

If Liverpool drop points in this one, the chase to catch Chelsea will be made all the more harder and they have an eay run of it too. I don't see Chelsea losing against their next run of opposition, until maybe the Arsenal game and even that's a possible winner given the Gunner's form at the moment.

Strong team to start, then rest who you want if there's a positive result at half time.

by **GYBS** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:51 am

i would rather rest torres more to save him getting a kicking from the west brom players.

by **stmichael** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:45 pm

Id give Riera a rest and play Babel in this one. Their defence is shocking and provided we are a bit more clinical than in recent weeks I can see nothing but a comfortable win.

by **Judge** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:01 pm

if we dont spank these wasters then there is something wrong

if we have 21 shots on goal, as usual, i expect us to turn in 5 or 6 of those, and not waste it by only getting the customary 1

by **Owzat** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:21 pm

stmichael wrote:Id give Riera a rest and play Babel in this one. Their defence is shocking and provided we are a bit more clinical than in recent weeks I can see nothing but a comfortable win.

Riera comes off quite a lot, plus we have the CC midweek for which he will get a rest.

vs Man Utd : 72 mins
vs Marseille : 26 mins (Sub)
vs Stoke : 66 mins
vs bitters : 68 mins
vs PSV : 69 mins
vs Citeh : 82 mins
vs Wigan : 90 mins !!!
vs Atl Madrid : 90 mins !!!
vs Chelsea : 90 mins !!!
vs Portsmouth : 21 mins (Sub)
vs Tottenham : 79 mins
vs Atl Madrid : 62 mins

Two 20 mins run outs as sub, only three full 90 mins and subbed between the 62nd and 72nd min FIVE times which is half the times he's started. Funny how often Rafa takes the LM off, regardless who it is.

by **The_Rock** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 2:36 pm

Think our awful start to november will continue.....a 1-1 draw for me......

by **Toffeehater** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:04 pm

We need to put this november jinx to bed and start picking up the results

by **metalhead** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:32 pm

I expect a 5-0 win, not more and not less.

FFS, lets win this comfortably.

by **Number 9** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:58 pm

Keane will score!

by **account deleted by request** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:28 am

Carra giving "some bloke" the eye

by **NANNY RED** » Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:33 am

Ha ha . i thought it was Agger for a mo then

Carra " an who the :censored:

are you"

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