Torres return

[dww]

Parry said NY and I suspect he could of played 10 days ago but the club drew a line in the sand 'let's get it right'. He's too valuable

Why does Parry care so much what you and Neil Young think?

[Assassin]

Why does Parry care so much what you and Neil Young think?

Ties, no?

[Big Dave]

The game against Preston will be perfect to get 90 mins under his belt. No pressure to perform really, and he shouldn't find it as tough as against a league opponent. Would be nice to see him on the scoresheet, but I think that a full 90 mins would be a better result for him. Wonder who Rafa will decide to play alongside him? Further confidence booster for Keane maybe?

[Skillz]

Why does Parry care so much what you and Neil Young think?

'New Year' obviously

[G]

I'd give him 20 against Preston and take it from there.

Hopefully more mins against Stoke and be ready to start against Everton but to be honest I be happy if he's 100% in time to start the Chelsea game

[shanks69]

The game against Preston will be perfect to get 90 mins under his belt. No pressure to perform really, and he shouldn't find it as tough as against a league opponent. Would be nice to see him on the scoresheet, but I think that a full 90 mins would be a better result for him. Wonder who Rafa will decide to play alongside him? Further confidence booster for Keane maybe?

i think it would be a mistake to give him 90mins.i'd give him 30 mins then 45 against stoke,best to ease him back.

[The Erectile Banana]

Good point.

There's no sense in throwing him into a physical FA Cup game when he's had so many injury problems this season. Bring him on in the second half against Preston to give him a run and then maybe start him against Stoke and give him an hour.

[anfieldanfield]

He'll play at Stoke.

[Craig_H]

He'll also play at Preson.

[dww]

He'll also play at Preson.

I'd imagine he will. Do you think he'll start (which would presumably mean playing at least 60 minutes)?

[johnly]

Just found this on the offal, haven't seen it posted here yet

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N162712090102-1319.htm

Rafa Benitez today confirmed Steven Gerrard will feature in the FA Cup third round clash with Preston North End on Saturday, while Fernando Torres returns to the squad.

The Liverpool boss is expected to make changes for the Deepdale trip but his skipper will play after excelling since the squad returned to training on Wednesday.

In his first press conference since returning from a kidney stone operation, Benitez said: "Steven has been okay, training normally. I said in the statement that I've talked to him. I am supporting him 100 per cent. The best thing for us is that he is focused on football, training well and he will play tomorrow.

"Everyone has been supporting him. We know what's going on and it's clear that it's a special situation but we have to support him because we trust him."

Asked if Gerrard was mentally ready to play, Benitez added: "He will play, and that means, for me, he's ready.

"He is a professional and a very, very good one. He will just be thinking about football. Hopefully he will score some goals, play as well as he was before and everyone will be talking about the game."

On what kind of team will step out in Lancashire, and whether Torres will return after seven games out with a hamstring tear, Benitez said: "It will be a strong team and we'll try to keep the momentum.

"Maybe we will change some players but we'll still have a very good team on the pitch.

"Gerrard is playing well and hasn't played too many games - he was injured for a long time during different parts of the season. It's not like Dirk Kuyt, who has played every game.

"It's the same with Torres, who's been injured. He and Gerrard have not played too many games so they can play.

"Torres will be in the squad. If we need him he can play. He is not 100 per cent because he hasn't got the match fitness. But he is ready."

Benitez will be further boosted by the imminent return of Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel from injury.

They, along with Torres, will be like three new signings, according to the gaffer.

"They have been very good players for us in the past, so it'll be like signing three new players," said Benitez.

"They are very cheap signings because we haven't spent much money!"

Quizzed on whether there would be any new additions to the squad in January, the boss replied: "If we need something we will try. But we are in a good position and we'll try to use the players we have now."

Meanwhile, Benitez stressed the importance of the FA Cup to Liverpool's season.

He said: "We will try to progress. The FA Cup is a fantastic competition for us so we'll try to progress and go to Wembley if possible.

"It will be difficult. Preston are doing well in the league and we know that to play against Liverpool is always a motivation. We know it will be a classic Cup game."

The tie will see Preston striker Neil Mellor face his former club.

Mellor scored six goals in 21 games for Liverpool, and Benitez said: "Mellor was a very good player for us. He scored fantastic goals against Olympiacos and Arsenal. They were very important goals.

"He is a great finisher and can score a lot of goals - hopefully in the league, not the Cup."

[Craig_H]

I'd imagine he will. Do you think he'll start (which would presumably mean playing at least 60 minutes)?

I think he'll start on the bench and come on in the 2nd half.

[wiw]

I think he'll start on the bench and come on in the 2nd half.

would be madness to start him, especially as it's so cold

[BigChief]

From this Rafa quote it seems Torres might not play at all if we're winning:

"Torres will be in the squad. If we need him he can play. He is not 100 per cent because he hasn't got the match fitness. But he is ready."

However, I think he'll get 10 mins if we're winning and more if we need something different to open up the game.

[Ballykissdevil]

I hope he gets some time if only to up his fitness a bit. Training does not compare to a competitive match.