Injuries worry Benitez ahead of Chelsea clash
MADRID: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was concerned about knocks to Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Xavi Alonso at Atletico Madrid in midweek ahead of Sunday's Premiership clash at Chelsea.
Irish international Robbie Keane, who still hasn't scored for the Reds in the league, put Liverpool ahead after 14 minutes in this Champions League Group D match but Portuguese winger Simao equalised late on to salvage a point for Atletico.
"If you said to me before the game that we would have seven points that would be good," said Benitez. "We have dropped two points and we also have some injury concerns."
"Gerrard, Xavi and Robbie all went off in the second half and they have some problems. Keane is having muscular problems but it is not that serious. Alonso has a knock on his knee and Gerrard has a niggle too.
"They are a bit tired and we are trying to keep them fresh and 100 percent fit."
Both Atletico and Liverpool have seven points in the group and face off again in the next Eurpean match at Anfield on Nov 4.
Spanish international Fernando Torres will be desperate to get fit for that game after missing the return to his former club with a hamstring injury.
Benitez admitted Torres was missed and had another dig at the international fixture list with Torres and Ryan Babel injured on international duty.
"Obviously we missed Torres as he is a special player," said Benitez. "However he wasn't available so there is no point talking about it. There are too many international games and you already know my opinion on this topic."
Liverpool lost control of the match against Atletico and that is something Benitez wants to improve ahead of the Chelsea fixture.
"We had control of the game for the first half and at the start of the second and I am disappointed we lost it," said Benitez. "Kun Aguero came on and that helped them a lot. We also didn't defend as well which was a decisive factor.
"We had chances to kill the game and we didn't. If you don't take your chances that is sometimes what happens."
A trip to Stamford Bridge awaits Liverpool next as the two unbeaten Premiership teams go head to head.
AFP
(China Daily 10/24/2008 page23)
