Source: Liverpool_Echo
Liverpool FC rocked as Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and other stars left out of Turkey trip
Multimedia Background image for 'Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez injury plea over Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard'[LNB] Is Roy Hodgson right to rest players for the Europa League?* WHAT do you think? Log in below and have your say[LNB]LIVERPOOL jetted out to Turkey for their crucial Europa League play-off without their inspirational captain and leading goalscorer.[LNB]Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres were the highest profile absentees from the 20-man squad that left John Lennon Airport this morning bound for Trabzon.[LNB] Gerrard has a slight back problem and though it is not serious, it was decided two long flights and another 90 minutes is not what he needs at this stage of the season.[LNB]He is expected to be fit for Sunday's Premier League clash with West Brom at Anfield but Manager Roy Hodgson did not want to risk him for the game with Trabzonspor.[LNB]Torres, meanwhile, is being nursed back to full fitness after injuring himself in the World Cup final and Hodgson does not want to over face him too soon.[LNB]The Spaniard played for 78 minutes in Monday's 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, four days after a lively 45-minute cameo in their first leg against Trabzonspor.
