From The Times November 23, 2009
Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel set to miss must-win match for Liverpool
Tony Barrett, Times Online
Fernando Torres will not be fit enough to travel to Hungary for Liverpool’s Champions League match against Debrecen tomorrow.
Liverpool go into the game in the knowledge that only the combination of a victory in Budapest and Fiorentina dropping points at home to Lyons will keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages.
Torres will remain on Merseyside to continue receiving treatment on the groin injury that has kept the Spain striker out of action for the past fortnight and faces a race against time to be fit for the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
“We thought it’d be two or three weeks and he’s only about 12 or 13 days into that, so there’s no point in Torres going [to Hungary],†Rafael BenÃtez, the Liverpool manager, said.
Ryan Babel, the winger, is also likely to be missing from the Liverpool squad having suffered an ankle injury during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Manchester City at Anfield, but Daniel Agger, who was also substituted having sustained a facial injury that required five stitches, is expected to be available.
BenÃtez was heartened by the character shown by his team against City, despite Liverpool’s failure to secure what would have been only a second win in their past ten matches.
The Spaniard believes that there have been clear signs of improvement in their past three matches — draws against Lyons, Birmingham City and Manchester City.
“Over the last three games you could see we are doing a lot better,†BenÃtez said. “Against Birmingham there was a massive, positive difference. On Saturday it was the same — we got a very good reaction.
“I am really pleased with the efforts of all the players, they were working hard to try and get the win, right to the end.
“You can make mistakes but you have to be pleased with their character. If we win one or tw, things will get easier.â€
