Rafa faces Torres wait
17 Oct 2007 - 19:23:51
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez remains confident that striker Fernando Torres will be fit to face Everton in the Merseyside derby this weekend.
The 23-year-old suffered a thigh injury while on international duty with Spain last week, but Benitez expects him to recover in time to face the Toffees.
He told the club's official website: "He is much better and improving. At the moment though, it is too early to say anything about the weekend.
"It's always a risk when a player has an injury and we have to be careful. He is back with us now and working with the physios."
Meanwhile, Benitez has rubbished suggestions that striker Peter Crouch could leave Anfield in the January transfer window.
He added: "People have been talking about Peter Crouch for two months, but he is our player and we don't want to sell him.
"He is a good professional, a good player. It is clear that this team now with four strikers creates more competition for places, but I don't have any problems because Crouch is a good player."