Source: Eurosport
Brown hopes Torres doesn't play
Hull manager Phil Brown believes the only way to stop Fernando Torres is to keep him off the Liverpool team sheet.The in-form Spanish striker is Brown's main worry as he prepares his side to face the Reds at the KC Stadium on Saturday in a match which could have a major say in outcomes at either end of the Premier League table.The Tigers have won once in 17 league games to plunge down to 16th, three points above the bottom three, while Liverpool are aiming to overhaul leaders Manchester United in their quest for their first league title since 1990.Brown reckons he has the game plan to frustrate Rafael Benitez's men, but asked how he will stifle Torres, who was absent for the 2-2 reverse fixture in December, he admitted: "I don't know."Every manager in the country has to deal with him at some stage and the best way to deal with him at Anfield was him not playing."He picked up a knock in the first 15 minutes (against Arsenal on Tuesday) and obviously I was watching him closely because I'm the next manager to face him. He's a fantastic player."You talk about Torres and Stevie Gerrard as the combination but it's a potent strike force whatever comes out of Liverpool's dressing room. Their forward line can slice open any defence in the world."Gerrard has been ruled out of Saturday's game with a groin injury much to the relief of Brown, who, when asked if that was what he had been hoping for, replied: "Absolutely. One million per cent. And hopefully one or two of his compadres won't play either."In contrast to Liverpool, Hull have found goals hard to come by of late and they have gone nine games without scoring more than a solitary goal.Striker Daniel Cousin could return to the side on Saturday after recovering from a back problem but Brown admits defence is his main priority."We'll try and frustrate them. We know we're not going to have much of the ball," he said."They'll have a lot of possession, a lot of chances, a lot of corners, so we've got to defend properly. It's as simple as that."In the main I'm looking for our best defensive heads. I want it to be a good defensive display from us but I want us to create as well. Hopefully we can bring our best game to the table."I've been talking about bravery all week. Bravery manifests itself in a number of ways. For the defenders it's about sticking heads in where the boots are flying. The same for goalkeepers."For strikers it's remaining calm in front of goal, or creative players remaining calm in the final third."We will pick a team that can cause them problems when we've got the ball, but I need to bring my best defence to the table."Brown described the first half at Anfield late last year as the best his side have played all season, but is under no illusions how difficult it will be to take something from the game this time."It's a difficult game, there's no doubt about it," he added. "Liverpool are a great side."We need five big, big performances to stay in this league."[LNB]
