Benitez: we can cope without dynamic duo

RAFAEL BENITEZ insists Liverpool possess the quality which means they can cope without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

But privately the Reds boss is fuming that his star men have returned from international duty with injuries.

Benitez has had to revise his plans for the match at Sunderland today, with the unavailability of Gerrard and Torres coming at a bad time as Liverpool try to re-ignite their season.

Defeat at Chelsea in their last outing was a third of the season in the Barclays Premier League for Liverpool, and Sunderland will be determined to cause more misery for their visitors at the Stadium of Light.

Benitez will not go public with any criticism, but there is little doubt he feels the pressures of international football, with the World Cup finals only eight months away, are telling.

Benitez said: “I cannot change the situation, so I just prefer to concentrate on the players I do have.

“What we do not have is control in such a situation. It does not matter whether teams have qualified, they will still insist heir players are released.’’

Liverpool have discovered with their own scan that Gerrard’s groin injury is worse than England realised. Torres has a similar problem.

Benitez hopes the pair will have recovered to face Lyon at home in the Champions League on Tuesday, but clearly that is also in doubt.

The Reds manager said: “Both are not ready yet, but hopefully (they will be available) for the next game against Lyon. The physios are working very hard on them.

“It is always difficult to keep all of your players fit in international breaks, but there is nothing we can do about the situation, we have to cope with the outcomes.’’

Dirk Kuyt, recovered from an ankle injury he sustained on international duty with Holland in Australia, will probably lead the attack in Torres’ absence, with compatriot Ryan Babel and Ukraine striker Andriy Voronin also in line for roles in the side.

Benitez believes Liverpool can handle the problem, saying: “We can win without them (Gerrard and Torres).

“We have good players in the squad who can come in, but we must show spirit and character now to overcome the problem.

“There are players who have been training well and waiting for their opportunity. Well now it has come and they can take their chance.”

Benitez, meanwhile, has backed under-fire defender Jamie Carragher to prove his critics wrong after a worrying start to the season.

Benitez said: “Jamie Carragher is fit, it is not a question of his physical condition, people talk about his age or his legs but it is not a question of that.

“It is a question of confidence. When you make a mistake and the team is not doing well in defence then the centre-backs and the ‘keeper suffer more than the others. He has character and thrives on pressure, so the only way to change things is to be on the pitch and prove that you are the right man for the job.”