Rafa Benitez backs Dirk Kuyt to fill Fernando Torres void

Feb 8 2008

Dirk Kuyt, Fernando Torres and Yossi Bennayoun celebrate

RAFA BENITEZ is backing Dirk Kuyt to fill Fernando Torres’ boots after the Spanish hit man was ruled out of Sunday’s game with Chelsea.

Torres returned to the UK yesterday, nursing the hamstring injury he picked up on international duty for Spain.

He was immediately taken for a scan in Liverpool which uncovered a slight tear. Torres is now expected to be out of action for around 10 days, with the Champions League tie against Inter Milan a week on Tuesday the realistic target for his return.

Club spokesman Ian Cotton said: "Fernando was examined by medical staff when he returned to Melwood.

"A scan later confirmed their diagnosis that he suffered a hamstring tear in his right leg. Fernando is expected to be out for approximately 10 days."

With Benitez’s worst fears over Torres being confirmed, the Reds boss is ready to offer Kuyt a place in his starting line-up, even though the Dutch forward has not scored a Premiership goal since November.

“He has scored some goals,” said Benitez. “If you look at his record in Holland he always scored a lot of goals but here he is doing a good job for the team.”

Holland coach Marco van Basten left Kuyt out of his squad for Wednesday’s 3-0 friendly win in Croatia, claiming the Liverpool man was not in good enough form to be included.

But Benitez insists Kuyt has responded to his omission in the right way – by knuckling down on the training ground.

He said: “He has been training really well for us and that is the kind of reaction you want from a player.

“Kuyt is a fantastic professional.”

Javier Mascherano was due to arrive back on Merseyside this afternoon after playing in Argentina’s 5-0 friendly win over Guatemala in Los Angeles yesterday.

Benitez was clearly unhappy about one of his most important players having to fly to the west coast of the USA and back for a friendly game just days before Liverpool take on Chelsea in a crucial league match.

Meanwhile, Liverpool’s reserve team is through to the semi-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup after beating Everton 1-0 at Finch Farm. Argentinian starlet Gerardo Bruna grabbed the winner.