Friday, November 6, 2009

Fernando Torres could play on Monday

Torres will test his groin injury with light training over the weekend. Gerrard is also doubtful but but Martin Skrtel returns after a virus.

Birmingham are without Barry Ferguson (banned) while Garry O'Connor (groin) and Keith Fahey (knee) are both doubts.

On-loan keeper Joe Hart could replace Maik Taylor after being ineligible to face parent club Manchester City.

Just six weeks ago Liverpool beat Hull City 6-1 at Anfield and were only three points behind title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

Yet six defeats in eight games later and Liverpool's season has virtually been written off. Lyon's last-minute Champions League equaliser on Wednesday has the 2005 winners looking at an early European exit. The Carling Cup is already gone and the Premier League appears to be following suit.

After being appointed Reds boss in 2004, Rafael Benitez proclaimed "Liverpool FC is more than just a football club. It's a feeling". Unless results improve, there is more than just a feeling that the under-fire Spaniard could become the first Premier League manager this season to lose his job.

Next up for Benitez are Birmingham, one of his bogey sides as he has never tasted a league victory over them. Improving Birmingham more than stifled Manchester City last weekend and are capable of frustrating an under-performing Liverpool side.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has this week empathised with Benitez. The Scot spent five years in charge of Rangers and understands that expectation levels from fans can not always be met.

On the field, there have been signs of late that newly-promoted and newly-bought Birmingham are beginning to get used to the Premier League. A run of four points from two games has supporters in high spirits as the club's new owners also start to settle into their new surroundings.


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