Source: Daily_Mail
Benayoun and Riera add to Reds' woe as duo face a month on the sidelines
Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera will miss key games at home and abroad after picking up hamstring injuries that will sideline them for at least a month. [LNB]Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez confirmed that both players had torn a hamstring in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Birmingham and will be out for the Barclays Premier League meetings with Manchester City and Everton and the equally-critical Champions' League trip to Debrecen. [LNB]Winger Riera suffered a recurrence of the injury that had kept him out for three weeks, while in-form midfielder Benayoun pulled up, clutching the back of his left leg, in the 77th-minute of a dramatic match at Anfield. [LNB] Crocked: Benayoun grabbed the back of his leg as soon as he felt the twinge[LNB]The double setback is another huge concern for Benitez as he attempts to restore morale that has been given a mauling by a return of just one win from their last nine games. [LNB]Riera and the increasingly infuential Benayoun will struggle to be fit for the trip to Blackburn and final European group game, at home to Fiorentina at the start of December, and could even be doubtful for the visit of Arsenal soon after. [LNB]With Liverpool's Champions League prospects hanging by a thread and their Premier League position so perilous that even a top-four finish is beginning to look a tall order, the timing could hardly have been worse. [LNB]No more: Riera hobbled off[LNB]Benitez admitted Fernando Torres was in no state to risk his hernia problem against Birmingham and only dared use Steven Gerrard from the bench, such are the misgivings over his troublesome groin. [LNB]The race is on to have £21million record signing Torres and inspirational skipper Gerrard fit to face top-four rivals City a week on Saturday, though Benitez conceded: 'At the moment, it is impossible to say. Fernando had no confidence in his ability to withstand a game, so it made sense to start treatment and fitness work with the physio straightaway. [LNB]'Stevie came through with no problems, after going on as substitute, but we will have to wait and see how they progress before deciding whether they can play in our next game. [LNB]'Albert suffered the same problem as before, and Yossi also picked up a tear to the hamstring. It is clear some players are playing too many games in a row, and Daniel Agger also felt some discomfort in his back again. [LNB] [LNB] 'But there is no problem with morale. It is just a question of luck turning our way, especially after it went against us once more against Birmingham. After all the pressure we had and chances we created in the first half, it was absolutely unbelievable that we went in 2-1 behind. [LNB]'But the players showed real character and desire to come back like that, and, in the end, we deserved to win. [LNB]'Bad luck and injuries are not helping us, but with that sort of spirit, we can be challenging near the top again.'[LNB] Liverpool 2 Birmingham 2: Fall guy Ngog cheats to get Rafa off the hookDiving Pool: Birmingham boss Alex McLeish furious as Liverpool's French striker David Ngog cheats to win vital penaltyGRAHAM POLL'S OFFICIAL LINE: Diving David Ngog should hang his head in shameLiverpool 2 Birmingham 2: How the drama unfolded at AnfieldVIDEO: Forget David Beckham or Pele - Arab striker's goal from halfway line is 'fastest ever'LIVERPOOL FC
