Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

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Rafa dismisses Gerrard spat talk

19 Jan 2010 - 14:20:04

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has laughed off reports of a bust-up with captain Steven Gerrard.

Benitez and Gerrard were reported to have been involved in a heated argument at half-time during the Reds' recent FA Cup third round replay defeat to Reading. However, the Spanish coach claims the stories in several newspapers are nonsense.

"We have been joking about the rumours in the media that there was a fight," he told the club's official website. "There was nothing. We have been laughing about it."

Gerrard (hamstring) and Fernando Torres (knee) will both miss Wednesday's Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.

Yossi Benayoun (rib) and Glen Johnson (knee) will also be absent, but an upbeat Benitez has given a positive update on the fitness of his star striker.

"Fernando is feeling better after his operation," he continued. "He will be out for more or less the six weeks we were expecting, but it's always better to be cautious.

"Yossi has a broken rib and so just needs time and Glen Johnson is improving, He is in the swimming pool working and doing well.

"We have to check on (Daniel) Agger because he had a groin problem. We'll have to see if he's available for Tottenham. We have a session today and then again tomorrow before we can decide."