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Rafa rues absence of key duo

14 May 2009 - 09:36:05

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Rafael Benitez claims Liverpool would have pushed Manchester United even further in the race for the Premier League title had Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres not suffered with injury.

Benitez has praised his squad for keeping the title race alive heading into the penultimate weekend of the season, but the Spaniard is still ruing the succession injuries suffered by the key duo through the campaign.

Gerrard has made 29 league appearances for the Reds this term while Torres has managed just 18 starts.

United are now just one point away from being crowned champions and Benitez told the club's official website: "United are a strong team and have a good team.

"They have a good squad which is important because when you are talking about the league you are talking about nine months.

"You cannot imagine if Gerrard and Torres had been fit all season where we would be now so it has been a good season, but you know it could be better."

Benitez has also reiterated his response to critics who claim Liverpool have been too defensive at times this season.

He added: "I don't think people realise how important it is to keep the balance.

"Because we are organised some people say we are not an attacking team. It's so clear we are an attacking team and a very good attacking team.

"I think it's always important to score goals, but to score 119 last year and now over 100 I think it's very good. It's not just the strikers as we have a lot of players who have scored for us.

"That is very good and it means the team has a very good offensive mentality and we still keep the balance and defend well. That is important for winning."