With defenders Martin Skrtel (broken metatarsal) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh strain) sidelined in the last 10 days Benitez is praying there are no more injuries to befall his side.

He lost Torres for five weeks in mid-January because of a knee operation, Gerrard struggled for full fitness in the first half of the campaign and right-back Glen Johnson has not played since the end of December.

Johnson may, however, be fit enough for a comeback at Wigan, having come through a training game against the reserves in the week.

And despite a number of his players having gone away on international duty, the Liverpool boss said he no longer worries about such matters.

“The only thing you can do is relax because it is not good for my health and you cannot change things,” he added.

“Everyone is playing games around the world.

“But it is important we don’t have too many injuries.

“We have lost Aurelio and Skrtel for a while now and so we don’t want to lose anyone else.

“We have Torres coming back, Gerrard is scoring goals - which is a boost for the rest of the players - and we have more confidence.

“We have much more quality in attack and we are still strong in defence so I think we are in a good moment but we have to carry on and keep winning games.”

The return of Johnson will be a welcome one for Benitez, who last week against Blackburn had to play defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano at right-back because of injury to Skrtel and suspension to Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

“Johnson is really close because he was training with us this week,” said the Spaniard.

“On Thursday we played a game against the reserves and he was involved in the game.

“I have to decide whether he can be involved in the squad but I think he can be.

“He is another player with quality so hopefully he will give us different options on the right side.

“We have problems in this position and now he is available he has quality going forward and his maybe the best in England in his position.

“I will be pleased to see him back.”

Centre-back Daniel Agger is expected to be fit despite bruising his right knee against Blackburn last Sunday which saw him leave Anfield on crutches.