Rafa: we’d be champs if stars were fit

RAFAEL BENITEZ has reiterated his belief that Liverpool would already have won the Premier League this season were it not for the injuries to dynamic duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

The second-placed Reds remain in the hunt, but fierce rivals Manchester United moved to within one point of a third successive top-flight title on Wednesday night as they came from behind to win 2-1 at Wigan.

Liverpool’s bid to prevent United equalling their record of 18 league trophies has been badly hampered by an inability to convert dominance to victories, reflected by seven draws at Anfield and four on the road during 2008/09.