All the paper talk this morning surrounds the fitness of Fernando Torres, after Rafa admitted yesterday that the striker may need to go under the knife.
Both Torres and Gerrard had been suffering abductor muscle injuries; but Torres’ situation is compounded by a hernia that is troubling him during and between matches. Liverpool could now lose both players for a spell, with surgery looming…
Some reports talk of a two month absence but that seems like wild speculation at this point. Rafa has reportedly been informed that a Gerrard and Torres could make a recovery after a prolonged period of rest. That would likey see them both miss the Birmingham game on Monday, with the international break to follow. However, surgery may yet be the only real long-term solution, with Rafa set to make a decision on Gerrard later this week, and Torres after Wednesday’s match in Lyon. The Spaniard could yet play a part in that match given Liverpool’s precarious Champions League situation.
The implications of this news not only affect the potential of both Gerrard and Torres but also that of Kuyt and Benayoun. Those two players will surely become pivotal to Rafa’s plans should Gerrard and Torres face a spell of rehabilitation.
Benayoun has already proved a big fantasy favourite this season. He has enjoyed a Fantasy Premier League price rise, from 7.5 to 8.0 so far and will surely attract further investment. Kuyt meanwhile, would come back onto our radars, with Rafa likely to turn to him to lead the attack in the absence of Torres. The Dutchman remains at 9.5 in the FPL game having gone four starts without a goal or an assist.
Gerrard and Torres aren’t the only Liverpool casualties. Rafa goes into tomorrow night’s game with doubts hanging over the fitness of Johnson, Aurelio, Agger and Ngog. The likes of Riera, Skrtel and reserve right-back Kelly, have already been ruled out. We will need to monitor the Liverpool lineup tomorrow evening with the trip to Birmingham in mind. By then we may even know more on the fate of both Gerrard and Torres – news that is likely to change our perspective on possible Liverpool investment for the coming weeks.
