Rafa Benitez has confirmed that both Fernando Torres and Glen Johnson remain several weeks away from a return from injury.
“Johnson is still progressing – he will be another three or four weeks. Torres is progressing too and will be three or four weeks, it depends on each individual.”
While this news will be a major concern to Liverpool fans, for us Fantasy Managers it offers further potential to investigate profits from more unlikely sources. With Torres out there’s no question that Dirk Kuyt’s potential as a mid-price midfielder improves, with Rafa likely to turn to the Dutchman to take up the central striker role – particularly away from Anfield. David Ngog will also remain an option as a budget striker, although it appears he is set to be relegated to the bench now that Gerrard is back available to Benitez.
Johnson’s absence meanwhile has meant that Carragher has shifted from central defence to fill the void. Benitez suggests that this is likely to continue for the time being…
“We know that Carra is a player who can play in different positions. He has played before at right-back and left-back and for the last five years he has been a fantastic centre-back, but now the team needs him as a right full-back and we know this is more demanding than centre-back, but he knows too that he has to work hard for the team and this will make the difference.”
Carragher’s move to right-back has handed Kyrgiakos the opportunity to stake a claim for a starting role. He has presented us fantasy managers with a new option in the improving Liverpool back four in recent weeks, although with Agger returning to fitness this week, his place now seems under threat.
Rafa has indicated that he will play Kyrgiakos to counter opposition with target men. The more mobile Agger could well earn starts against more lively attackers. That will however still leave both Agger and Skrtel as short-term options we can turn to, while Insua remains a certain starter with Aurelio sidelined. Rafa confirmed that the Brazilian is still “maybe one week” from a return.
The question is of course, just how will Liverpool react to the sustained absence of Johnson and in particular, Torres? Liverpool struggled at Wolves in midweek but now face two consecutive Anfield fixtures against Bolton today and Everton. Things stiffen following that however, with trips to Arsenal and City. Torres is scheduled to return after those two fixtures, just in time for things to pick up again for Liverpool with a decent run of opponents from gameweek 28-32 that may well open them up to heavy fantasy investment (BLA wig POR mun SUN).