Benitez: We must work on Fowler fitness

Rafael Benitez has injected a note of realism into the euphoria surrounding Robbie Fowler’s return by suggesting the player is not up to playing 90 minutes yet.

Fowler is expected to be named in the squad for tonight’s home league match with Birmingham, a game that is already a sell-out in anticipation of his return to Anfield in front of his adoring Kop fans, four years and two months since he left under a cloud to join Leeds.

Benitez says: “I can’t wait to see him scoring his first goal again in front of the Kop, but we must work with him to improve his physical condition.

“But people have told me all about him, what he can do for the team. He has good memories here and hopefully there will be a lot more in the future.”

Benitez has revealed how keen he has been to increase the local presence in the squad, which already includes Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Stephen Warnock.

Now Fowler’s bubbling personality has returned to the Anfield dressing room, and Benitez says: “It is good to sign a local player, that just helps the team spirit in the dressing room.”

Benitez, who recalls watching Fowler score for Liverpool in the UEFA Cup final victory over Spanish side Alaves, says: “First of all he’s a good finisher, secondly he gives us more alternatives. We can use Cisse on the right and still always have another player near the box.

“I knew the player, we remember the UEFA final against Alaves and we knew what he could do. He gets more than 10 goals every season, sometimes a lot more. He’s a good finisher.

“We needed another alternative, Cisse can play on the right and we can find different positions for the strikers that we have.

“The most important thing is the quality he can give. You need to know about him as a person and a professional, and we know he is 30 now and more experienced.

“He wanted to come, he will give us a lot. He will score, he has passion and will be important for us.

“We know about his medical problems, he has special training sessions and we are working with him to see how fit he is. But he is a good finisher and can score goals in five minutes or 90 minutes.

“He cannot play 90 minutes for us just yet, but he can score goals and he will get fitter. Everybody has said to me: ‘Congratulations, he is a great striker’. Now we are waiting for the moment when again he can score in front of the Kop.

“But the most important thing is the team and winning, Robbie has said that as well, because he understands. We are thinking about the matches and not just one player.”

Liverpool’s new Dutch defender Jan Kromkamp is a major doubt after suffering an ankle injury in the FA Cup victory over Portsmouth at the weekend.

Benitez says he will make some changes from the side that played at Fratton Park, with the likelihood that Steve Finnan will return at full-back and Harry Kewell on the left, while Peter Crouch is expected to return up front.

Young Danish defender Daniel Agger is also likely to be involved.