Rafa may do without star duo

oth Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could be missing from Rafa Benitez's starting XI against Middlesbrough on Saturday. The Reds have had to contend without their dynamic duo for large parts this season with both star performers enduring injury-pestered campaigns.Gerrard has been on the sidelines with a hamstring injury sustained against Everton last month, but the Liverpool captain returned to action on Wednesday for a cameo appearance in his side's first leg victory at Real Madrid.But the midfielder's return was marred by the substitution of Torres, also plagued by hamstring trouble this term, who exited the field gingerly with an ankle complaint.And the Reds boss, whose future in Merseyside looks much brighter in the wake of chief executive Rick Parry's impending departure, confirmed his Spanish striker is out with a twisted ankle.Unavailable"Torres is not fit and won't be in the squad," Benitez told the club's official website."It is a problem he has had before and we will have to check over the weekend to see if he is available for Sunderland." On Gerrard's role for the weekend trip to the North East, the Reds boss added: "Gerrard is much better. He was training. I've spoken to him and the doctor. If we decide to use him it's because we've decided it's not a risk."But we still have time to decide. We'll talk some more today and decide on Saturday." Centre-back Daniel Agger again misses out with a back injury as the title challengers aim to close the seven-point gap between them and league leaders Manchester United.

Source: SKY_Sports