Rafa: Torres almost didn't play
06 Mar 2008 - 08:39:51
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admitted that hat-trick hero Fernando Torres almost didn't play in Wednesday's 4-0 demolition of mid-table West Ham United at Anfield.
The Spaniard grabbed his third hat-trick of the season and second in successive home games following his three strikes in the recent victory against Middlesbrough.
The win against the hapless Hammers lifted the Reds back up to fourth in the Premier League table, but Benitez said: "He (Torres) had a small problem and our first thought was to rest him, but he was OK.
"Just before he scored his third, I had told (Peter) Crouch to get ready to go on and maybe Torres saw him and pushed himself harder.
"If he continues scoring goals, I'm sure he will be a threat for all defenders, but he can give us more than that because the defenders might be thinking about him and give a chance to Babel, Gerrard, Kuyt or another.
"We are playing with a lot of confidence now. We started the season well, but at this crucial stage of the season we are playing really well and you can see the team operating as a team, that is really important.
"It was important to win tonight because we have been talking about this game in hand for a long time, but now when you see the points on the table it is much easier and better for the confidence.
"We have three more points and we are closer now, it depends on us. If we can beat Newcastle we will approach the Inter game with a lot of confidence."