INJURY LATEST: GERRARD, JOHNSON AND AQUILANI
Jimmy Rice 30 October 2009
Rafa Benitez will be without both Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard for this weekend's trip to Fulham.
Gerrard has failed to recover from a groin injury sustained earlier this month on international duty, while Johnson suffered a small tear in his calf this week.
Meanwhile, Alberto Aquilani is also a doubt after picking up a virus following his debut against Arsenal in midweek.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Gerrard still has a problem with his groin so he won't be available this weekend.
"At this moment he's working with the physios. He has to keep working and we'll decide next week how he progresses.
"Johnson has a small tear in his calf, so we will lose him for maybe one week."
On Aquilani, Benitez added: "In terms of fitness he's doing well. His ankle is coming on well. The problem we have now is that he has a virus, so it will be difficult for him to be available.
"We will see this afternoon how he feels but he was a little bit sick yesterday.
"He wanted to play against Arsenal and was really pleased to go. He wants to go and play against Fulham but we'll have to decide how he feels."
Benitez will also have to do without both Martin Kelly (ankle) and Albert Riera (hamstring) for the journey south.
However, the boss is hoping Fernando Torres will be able to make an impact after he returned with a match-winning display against Manchester United.
Benitez said: "He is improving. He's been training and working with the physios. We will see if he is a little bit better this weekend. It's a difficult situation because if you play games, you often don't have too much time to get fit again."
Jimmy Rice 30 October 2009
Rafa Benitez will be without both Glen Johnson and Steven Gerrard for this weekend's trip to Fulham.
Gerrard has failed to recover from a groin injury sustained earlier this month on international duty, while Johnson suffered a small tear in his calf this week.
Meanwhile, Alberto Aquilani is also a doubt after picking up a virus following his debut against Arsenal in midweek.
Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "Gerrard still has a problem with his groin so he won't be available this weekend.
"At this moment he's working with the physios. He has to keep working and we'll decide next week how he progresses.
"Johnson has a small tear in his calf, so we will lose him for maybe one week."
On Aquilani, Benitez added: "In terms of fitness he's doing well. His ankle is coming on well. The problem we have now is that he has a virus, so it will be difficult for him to be available.
"We will see this afternoon how he feels but he was a little bit sick yesterday.
"He wanted to play against Arsenal and was really pleased to go. He wants to go and play against Fulham but we'll have to decide how he feels."
Benitez will also have to do without both Martin Kelly (ankle) and Albert Riera (hamstring) for the journey south.
However, the boss is hoping Fernando Torres will be able to make an impact after he returned with a match-winning display against Manchester United.
Benitez said: "He is improving. He's been training and working with the physios. We will see if he is a little bit better this weekend. It's a difficult situation because if you play games, you often don't have too much time to get fit again."
