The Knee Jerk – Bewilderbeast Benitez

You would have thought we’d be used to the eccentricities of Rafa Benitez by now. The strangest of Premier League animals, his team selections have often left us Fantasy Managers and in particular, his own supporters, baffled not to mention frustrated.

Today’s substitution of Fernando Torres against Birmingham at a stage when Liverpool were chasing three points that could prove pivotal to their chances of Champions League qualification, was the latest incident to leave both groups wringing their hands…

Torres was the first to feel the sense of bemusement – struggling to hide his own frustration on seeing his number held aloft with David Ngog readied on the St Andrew’s sidelines. In truth Torres had had little impact to that point, starved of service as a result of another impotent attacking display from Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard’s classy strike just after the break provided the exception to that rule. The Liverpool skipper fired home a shot on the turn on receiving Glen Johnson’s pass to give the visitors the lead; Gerrard’s second league goal in his last eleven starts. With just seven strikes for the season, Gerrard has offered paltry returns for his hefty fantasy price tag and yet today’s goal, coupled with Liverpool’s forthcoming fixtures, will now put him firmly on the fantasy radar.

Liverpool face two consecutive home fixtures with Fulham and West Ham visiting Anfield. Those games follow on from Thursday’s Europa League second-leg with Benfica. Should Gerrard, Johnson and Torres come through the European tie unscathed, the trio will surely be high on our most wanted lists.

Torres in particular will continue to see huge interest. While the striker was seen clutching an ice pack to his knee, it seemed it was his pride that took the real knock as he settled on the Liverpool bench just after the hour-mark. There was no mention of an injury in Rafa’s post-match summary – a round-up not surprisingly dominated by Rafa’s take on the Torres withdrawal…

“Fernando knew we needed to win and he knew he was tired. All the players want to be on the pitch and make a difference but you could see Ngog with fresh legs, and also Babel, making a big difference in the last few minutes.”

Barring injury against Benfica, Torres will be one of the favourites to take on the Fantasy Premier League armband for the coming gameweek – despite double fixtures for both Stoke and Fulham. After a disappointing two point haul this week, there may well be some hesitation. Today’s performance from Liverpool will hardly instil confidence and yet Liverpool and Torres are a different prospect at Anfield. The Spaniard has scored in his last three home matches – five goals in all. The Fulham and West Ham defences are set to be his next victims, provided Rafa gives him time enough to do the damage.