Rafa Benitez is set to keep Fernando Torres in reserve for Liverpool’s Europa League second leg tie with Unirea in Bucharest on Thursday according to reports.
The striker made a surprise return to action as a 75th minute substitute in the dull 0-0 encounter with City on Sunday, despite Rafa’s claims that the game would come to early. Torres apparently trained well going into the weekend and claimed a place on the bench along with Yossi Benayoun, who himself returned from a five-week absence.
Both are likely to be in the frame for starts for the Anfield clash with Blackburn and therefore very much back on our radars as fantasy prospects for Liverpool’s run-in…
Following the appearance of both Torres and Benayoun at Eastlands, Rafa left us in little doubt as to their importance for the remainder of the season but hinted that he still felt that they were still short on fitness…
“Both players have been important in the past for us and hopefully they will be important in the future…Both made a difference in a lot of games and hopefully they can do it again…Fernando will need to improve his match fitness and Yossi will be the same”
In fantasy terms both players could provide effective differentials for the final stages of the season. With Drogba and Rooney ensconced in so many lineups, Torres could provide a new option for those looking to make up ground.
The Spaniard has been limited to just 14 starts in the Premier League this season but has still returned 12 goals. He ranks fourth in the Fantasy Premier League points per game rankings for strikers as a result. Even so, backing Torres to outscore Rooney or Drogba in fantasy terms for the rest of the season looks a risk. For the cash-rich, a front three of Drogba, Rooney and Torres could well be the dream ticket in a season where, Fabregas aside, the big strikers have offered the biggest return on investment. Having said that, so far this gameweek 22,000 FPL managers have sold on Rooney with his missing fixture. Five thousands have looked to Torres, presumably as a replacement.
While Torres is already on many a wishlist, Benayoun’s prospects are far more questionable. There’s no doubt over his talent and impact on the Liverpool side when he plays, but we’ve seen earlier in the season that Rafa has shown a lack of patience with Benayoun. The midfielder has been hauled off by Rafa on 16 occasions this season and has made eight substitute appearances on top of that. Returns of five goals and four assists did attract some fantasy attention earlier this term, which saw an FPL price rise to 8.0 by gameweek 12. However, investors quickly grew frustrated with his constant lack of 90 minute opportunities. Today, following his injury, his FPL price stands at 7.5, his initial pre-season value.
Judging by his quotes after his substitute appearance, a showing that almost produce a penalty that would have won the game at City, Benayoun is looking forward to providing a creative spark in Rafa’s side.
“We need to create more and do more up front…Hopefully the defence will keep playing well. We have got the best defence in the league. Now we need to create more and then the goals will come.”
With Rodriguez, Kuyt, Reira and Aurelio available for the wide roles and Aquilani, Lucas and Mascherano handing Gerrard the freedom to play up with Torres, a regular starting role for Benayoun still looks in doubt. That may well be enough to see most fantasy managers hesitate once more on the midfield prospect.
Regardless of how you feel about the pair, right now it’s wise to hold fire until Thursday’s European tie is out of the way. We have to hope that Rafa does indeed use Torres and Benayoun sparingly in that game and the suggestion that both will start as subs comes as welcome news.