Rafa hoping world-class Torres will be fit soon
Liverpool bid to maintain their unbeaten home record this term against surprise package Hull today and will be boosted by the news that the Spaniard was yesterday short-listed for the FIFA award.
Torres is due for another consultation over his hamstring problem with Spanish specialist Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, and expects the all-clear to resume full training.
Benitez said: “I have been talking to Fernando, and he is much better. But how long before he returns, I don’t know. He is in light training. It could be one or two weeks, but I don’t want to put pressure on him.
“I am pleased he has been nominated for the world player of the year award — it is well-deserved. To score 33 goals in your first season in England and then to win the European title with Spain shows his quality.”
Benitez again dismissed claims that Daniel Agger could be going to AC Milan, while explaining the midweek revelation of Ajax’s interest in Ryan Babel.
He said: “It is more difficult for the players who are not playing. Ryan Babel has been linked with a move away, but it was Ajax who approached me.
“They were selling (Klaas Jan) Hunterlaar and wanted Ryan on loan, and I said no. He will stay with us; he can be a very He also dismissed as stupid suggestions that he has a defeatist approach to the Anfield club’s title chances, and insists that if they are still top after Christmas then they will be 80% towards the crown.
The Spaniard was irritated to see claims that Liverpool would only win the Premier League if their main rivals “messed up” in the remainder of the campaign.
He said: “We have a clear opportunity to win the title, and now we are top, it depends on what we do. If we win, nobody will overtake us.
“I was surprised to read what I was supposed to have said. But really not surprised, because everyone in Liverpool knows about this, it was not true.”
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