Source: Telegraph
Liverpool without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres for trip to Sunderland
“This game is too soon for them,” the Liverpool manager said. “Gerrard has more or less the same problem as Torres, in the adductor muscle. They could be back for [the games against Lyon and Manchester United] next week, but tomorrow is too soon.”
The Spaniard’s frustration at being denied the presence of his two best players when facing one of the Premier League’s most improved sides will, no doubt, have been exacerbated by the fact that both injuries were picked up on Saturday but neither returned to Merseyside for treatment.
Both Torres and Gerrard remained with Spain and England for entirely meaningless midweek fixtures.
“We cannot change the situation,” Benitez admitted, clearly not wishing to embroil himself in further controversy just three days after escaping three FA charges of improper conduct with a warning as to his future conduct. “We prefer to talk about things we can control, about the players we do have available.”
That list, though, is worryingly brief. Sotiris Kyrgiakos, the Greek defender, also picked up a knee injury on international duty which is likely to rule him out for two weeks, while Lucas only returned from Brazil this morning after completing their 0-0 draw with Venezuela in Campo Grande.
Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, as Benitez spoke at lunch time today, were still en route from Buenos Aires to England.
Benitez will at least be able to call on Dirk Kuyt, who has recovered from an ankle injury sustained with Holland in Australia last week, and Daniel Agger, though the fact that the Danish international played 90 minutes in another meaningless game in midweek is hardly ideal as he tries to overcome the back problems which have plagued him for two years and forced him to consider retirement.
Indeed, so scant are the positives at Anfield at the moment that the return to training of Alberto Aquilani has provided a welcome fillip.
The Italian is yet to feature for Liverpool since his £20 million move from Roma but Benitez confirmed he is “training well.” For him too, though, Sunderland is likely to be too soon.
