Liverpool hopeful of two key comebacks
The Liverpool manager missed another media briefing yesterday as he recovers from a kidney stones operation, but is expected back on the bench for the Stephen’s Day home clash with Bolton.
That date may well be too soon for Torres’ return from a hamstring injury, but assistant boss Sammy Lee revealed the Spanish forward is improving in every training session.
Of Benitez, he said: “Rafa is a lot better, he’s on the mend. He has been in a lot of pain but he is improving. His presence is always missed, but the organisation he has put in place is such that even though he has not been here this week, the battle plan is still there.
He added: “He is a hands-on manager, it is hurting him more being away from the training ground really, but he will be back soon.”
Lee was less forthcoming over Torres’ return, the 24-year-old having now missed five matches after suffering a recurrence of the injury that ruled him out for six games earlier in the campaign.
But having been insistent that Torres would not figure at the Emirates on Sunday, Lee stressed that the situation is improving.
He said: “Fernando is getting better. He improves with every training session and he has worked hard on his rehabilitation.
“We will put him in when we see fit, that’s not evasive but I don’t want to start revealing our lineup.”
If Torres does not make the holiday programme, Liverpool will stick with the formation of Robbie Keane up front and Steven Gerrard as a support striker.
Keane, fresh from his spectacular equaliser at Arsenal, has the full support of Lee, who said: “A lot of people have said a lot of things about Robbie. But we know why we brought him here, we see every day in training how hard he works and what a good player he is.
“Things have been said outside the club, but there has not been a word from inside.
“He is a very good player, who was bought to score goals. That is what he is and will be doing.”
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