Fernando Torres ruled out of Champions League clash
Oct 23 2007 EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
FERNANDO TORRES was today ruled out of Liverpool’s crunch Champions League clash in Turkey.
Boss Rafa Benitez had hoped to have his top scorer available for tomorrow’s crucial tie with Besiktas in Istanbul, but following discussions with the club doctor at Melwood this morning it was decided that Torres must remain on Merseyside.
The record signing has been working his way back to fitness since picking up an abductor muscle injury with Spain 10 days ago.
But the meeting with Besiktas has come too soon.
He will now undergo further rehabilitation work at Melwood, with Sunday’s match against Arsenal a realistic target for his comeback.
But even without his top scorer, Reds boss Rafa Benitez has underlined the importance of Liverpool pushing for a win tomorrow night.
“It’s clear we need to go to Istanbul and try to win,” he declared. “If we don’t do that we know it will be difficult for us but all we are thinking about is the three points. The players know how important it is for us to win this game.
“In our first match, we know our first half performance wasn’t good, but Porto are a good side and to get a draw when we went down to 10 men wasn’t bad.
“We made a mistake in our next game against Marseille which was a bad night for us. We need to repair that mistake against Besiktas.”
Benitez is aware of the incendiary atmosphere which will be awaiting his side, but believes his squad has the strength to deal with it.
“I have spoken to Spanish journalists this week and they have told me how passionate the fans are in Besiktas. But we know that anyway and our players will be able to handle the situation.”
Xabi Alonso is back in the squad for the trip to Istanbul, but Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa will miss the match.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...0252-19994740/
Oct 23 2007 EXCLUSIVE by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
FERNANDO TORRES was today ruled out of Liverpool’s crunch Champions League clash in Turkey.
Boss Rafa Benitez had hoped to have his top scorer available for tomorrow’s crucial tie with Besiktas in Istanbul, but following discussions with the club doctor at Melwood this morning it was decided that Torres must remain on Merseyside.
The record signing has been working his way back to fitness since picking up an abductor muscle injury with Spain 10 days ago.
But the meeting with Besiktas has come too soon.
He will now undergo further rehabilitation work at Melwood, with Sunday’s match against Arsenal a realistic target for his comeback.
But even without his top scorer, Reds boss Rafa Benitez has underlined the importance of Liverpool pushing for a win tomorrow night.
“It’s clear we need to go to Istanbul and try to win,” he declared. “If we don’t do that we know it will be difficult for us but all we are thinking about is the three points. The players know how important it is for us to win this game.
“In our first match, we know our first half performance wasn’t good, but Porto are a good side and to get a draw when we went down to 10 men wasn’t bad.
“We made a mistake in our next game against Marseille which was a bad night for us. We need to repair that mistake against Besiktas.”
Benitez is aware of the incendiary atmosphere which will be awaiting his side, but believes his squad has the strength to deal with it.
“I have spoken to Spanish journalists this week and they have told me how passionate the fans are in Besiktas. But we know that anyway and our players will be able to handle the situation.”
Xabi Alonso is back in the squad for the trip to Istanbul, but Daniel Agger and Alvaro Arbeloa will miss the match.
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liver...0252-19994740/
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