‘Terrific’ Torres not a certain starter

Sep 26 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ last night insisted “terrific” Fernando Torres is not guaranteed a start against Wigan Athletic at the weekend despite his memorable Carling Cup hat-trick last night.

The Spanish striker netted his first treble since his club record signing from Atletico Madrid as a much-changed Liverpool won 4-2 in their third round tie at Reading.

Torres was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up, having being left on the bench for the recent goalless Premier League draws against Portsmouth and Birmingham City.

But although the striker now has six goals in six starts with his new club, Benitez continued to keep everyone guessing whether Torres would remain up front for Saturday’s trip to the JJB Stadium.

“It was a terrific game for Fernando,” said Benitez. “With the space Reading left, it was good for him and he is really dangerous in that space.

“He had a lot of space and he killed their defenders with his pace and movement.

“But I cannot guarantee anything (for the Wigan game). I like to see my strikers during the week in training, we have four good strikers.

“If I say now that Fernando is playing, then it will be easier for Wigan to prepare. So it will be better if I say nothing.”

Of Torres being on the bench in recent league games, Benitez added: “Fernando knows why he was left out. Our supporters are very clever, they know that I am trying to do the best for the team. I decide to change the strikers depending on the game. All the players want to play every game.”

Torres came in for some rough treatment from Reading centre-backs Andre Bikey and Michael Duberry.

And Benitez was disappointed with the lack of protection offered by referee Martin Atkinson.

“I was coming upstairs trying to think about how to say something while not saying anything,” added the Anfield manager. “So I won’t talk about the referee, and you can all watch the video.

“I need to check how Fernando is. He was receiving kicks all the time.

“But Fernando and the rest of the team showed character. That was the key for me.”

All of Torres’s goals came in the second half after Yossi Benayoun had netted his first for the club with the game’s finest strike in the 23rd minute.

In an entertaining game, Reading twice drew level through goals from Bobby Convey and John Halls.

And Benitez, who handed a debut to goalkeeper Charles Itandje and a first start to midfielder Lucas Leiva, said: “The team worked really hard, we knew it would be a difficult game. Everybody did their job.

“If the players don’t do their job, then it’s impossible for anyone to really shine.

“But they all did a fantastic job.

“Reading were very physical, challenging for every ball.

“They are a team that go forward and are dangerous on the attack, but they have problems when you hit them on the counter-attack.”