Fernando Torres to return for Liverpool before New Year
Dec 13 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post
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“We know if we finish that period still at the top we will have a lot more chance of winning it.
“And with people coming back, the second period will be even better for us.
“A month ago I was saying we needed to prove something, but we are proving to everyone that we can. You cannot make too many mistakes. But we are top, it would be stupid to say we couldn’t win the title.”
Of the alleged quotes, Benitez said: “The comments were from an interview with a French magazine. I was surprised to read what I was supposed to have said. But really not surprised, because everyone in Liverpool knows about this, it was not true.”
Benitez will again be without Fernando Torres for today’s clash against high-flying Hull. Torres, who is recovering from a hamstring problem, will visit a specialist in Barcelona for a second consultation on the injury.
And Benitez believes the striker has a chance of playing again this year.
“I spoke to Fernando this morning and he’s tired, but that is because he is working so hard and he is improving,” said the manager yesterday.
“It is physical more than anything because his mentality is very good. His rehab is going well and I’m not going to put a time on it, but I think it will be one or two weeks.
“It’s important to understand Fernando’s a very important player for us, a key player, because of his goals, the way he beats players and he is always a threat.
“Obviously it’s much better with him playing but we have other players. Ngog, Babel, Kuyt, Keane, they can all score goals too.”
Torres, who finished third in the Ballon d’Or earlier this month, was yesterday named on a five-man shortlist for FIFA’s World Player of the Year.
The striker has been nominated along with Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo, AC Milan playmaker Kaka and Barcelona duo Lionel Messi and Xavi for the award, the winner of which will be announced on January 12 in Zurich.
And Benitez said: “I am pleased he has been nominated, it is well deserved. To score 33 goals in your first season in England and then to win the European title with Spain shows his quality.
“There are some very good players also nominated, but I feel Fernando has a good chance.”
