Quick Question

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

With the game against Portsmouth coming up midweek does anyone know if Torres will be back ?

People were saying he had a chance to be fit for the Chelsea game and I was just wondering if there was something I have missed like a delay in his return or confirmation that he can play.

[Skunk]

I'll just ring Rafa, hold on.

[bobbyfallon]

i recon we can manage without him for this one. if he is not 100% fit there is no point risking him - from the start anyways. maybe 15 mins at the end if he is anywhere near ready

[PTP]

I'd agree qith bobby - our permformances against the mancs, atl. madrid away and chelsea show, even prove that we can cope without him - no need to rush him straigh back, esp as keane appears to have shaken off his knock he picked up against at; madrid and with babel fit and kuyt too - we should have no problems. I'd consider resting torres, maybe have him on the bench if he is fit and consider a run out. but we have options at the moment - in fact rafa maybe even have a selection headche which is gootd thing, even without torres he can rotate the midfield/attack and the formation used - right now we have a choice of

Mascherano
Alonso
Gerrard
Riera
Kuyt
Babel
Keane

if we take it as a give that we have one in goal and will play four across the back - that leaves 6 places across midfield/attack depending on how we set up (4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1)

there is 7 first teamers all fighting for a place - add to that the squad players like Yossi and lucas - so even without torres we look strong and have options, who missed out?

regardless of yesterday's result - our squad is probably as good as we can get right now (obv in a fantasy world you'd take messi etc etc )

[bobbyfallon]

just wait til torres does come back and we win 1-0 with him scoring the winner. we go back to being a one man team again, got to love the press

[PTP]

- exactly

[Darth Marty]

I'll just ring Rafa, hold on.

Whats with the sarky comments all the time then billy boy? Havent enough intellect to play nice eh?

[bobbyfallon]

I'd agree qith bobby - our permformances against the mancs, atl. madrid away and chelsea show, even prove that we can cope without him - no need to rush him straigh back, esp as keane appears to have shaken off his knock he picked up against at; madrid and with babel fit and kuyt too - we should have no problems. I'd consider resting torres, maybe have him on the bench if he is fit and consider a run out. but we have options at the moment - in fact rafa maybe even have a selection headche which is gootd thing, even without torres he can rotate the midfield/attack and the formation used - right now we have a choice of

Mascherano
Alonso
Gerrard
Riera
Kuyt
Babel
Keane

if we take it as a give that we have one in goal and will play four across the back - that leaves 6 places across midfield/attack depending on how we set up (4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1)

there is 7 first teamers all fighting for a place - add to that the squad players like Yossi and lucas - so even without torres we look strong and have options, who missed out?

regardless of yesterday's result - our squad is probably as good as we can get right now (obv in a fantasy world you'd take messi etc etc )

as babel danced round three defenders and smashed one just wide i thought thats it he has to start with torres, my minds made up. but then........

who do you drop - kuyt reira keane ??? fantastic problem to have. babel is starting to look the real deal imo but the others are playing well too. then you have yossi also

[Skunk]

Whats with the sarky comments all the time then billy boy? Havent enough intellect to play nice eh?

Ooer!

I've snagged another one.

[saj]

I get the feeling Babel will start instead of Keane

[DannyMan2006]

I get the feeling Babel will start instead of Keane

No he will not. Keane has been fantastic for Liverpool in the games he has played. His work rate and link up play has made a massive difference to our team. Keane is proven in the Premiership and it is only a matter of time before he starts smashing in the goals, that is obvious.

It would be foolish of Rafa to drop him now. It's not like he's been a passenger or a liability. The more games he plays the more confidence he will get. And if anyone thinks he's not doing a job look at the teams results so far this season.

Great as Babel is he lacks the work rate of the top players at Liverpool. There is no doubt in my mind he will end up a fantastic player, but he's not quite there yet and he does tend to dissapoint when he starts games.

That said I think he will be in the starting XI on Wednesday. Games are starting to come thick and fast now and I am thankful that we have cover in every position.

[Mystery]

According to liverpool.no, Torres will probably miss the Portsmouth game and maybe the Spurs game as well.

Keane is also in doubt.

[Red Chilli]

According to liverpool.no, Torres will probably miss the Portsmouth game and maybe the Spurs game as well.

Keane is also in doubt.

Interesting

We need Torres for the long term, no need to rush him back.
It's all about how we approach the game, if we are professional and ruthless we won't need Torres to take care of Spurs and Pompey.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

To be honest i was more worried about my fantasy team than worrying about our result without him.

[fin7]

if he is fit i'd give him 20 mins at the end if we are struuggling to win the game - otherwise might be best giving more time to recuperate.