RAFAEL BENITEZ has renewed his attack on the international calendar after his preparations for a crucial week in Liverpool’s season were thrown into chaos.
Talismanic duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard will both be absent through injury when Benitez’s under-pressure side resume Premier League duties at Sunderland this afternoon.
And the Anfield manager has further concerns over the fitness of Argentine duo Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua following their World Cup exertions in South America during the past week.
While Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva was back training at Melwood yesterday after appearing for his country, Mascherano and Insua only linked up with the squad in Wearside last night.
It must cast a question mark over their physical readiness for what is expected to be a bruising encounter at the Stadium of Light, where Liverpool can ill afford to lose any more ground having lost three of their first eight league games.
"All the things that can happen after an international break – injuries, playing the next game away and playing it on the Saturday – we knew might happen and now they’ve happened," said Benitez.
"It’s not the ideal preparation. But you cannot change things. You have to adapt and then maybe try and do your best. Now we have to think about winning every single game. Sunderland will be the first one."
Both Torres and Gerrard returned from international duty carrying groin problems, and although scans have shown no serious muscle damage, neither has recovered sufficiently to play today.
Benitez is hopeful the pair will be available for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Lyon and the visit of Manchester United five days later.
"They have more or less the same problem with the adductor of the groin," said the Spaniard. "It’s not a serious injury but it’s too early for them. We decided this morning. They cannot play, it’s not a question of being able to risk them.
"I think they will be okay for Tuesday but it depends on their rate of recovery. They are very close but they still have some problems and can’t play at the level that they can.
"Both players were playing with us, and after they went to the international teams they came back injured."
