LONDON: Fernando Torres has handed Liverpool a massive boost ahead of today’s must-win clash with Manchester United by predicting that he will be 100% fit in time for the kick-off.
The difference a fit Torres makes to Rafael Benitez’s side was perfectly illustrated by his stunning display in Tuesday’s 4-0 Champions League demolition of Real Madrid at Anfield.
The match was the Spanish striker’s first in two weeks and he admitted he had played through the pain of an ankle injury, which meant his foot was encased in a protective cast as soon as he came off.
But Torres is confident that the intensive treatment he has been having will ensure he is ready to go again at Old Trafford in an encounter which, he recognises, Liverpool simply must win if they are to retain a glimmer of hope of catching United in the title race.
“I feel good,” he reported. “My ankle felt a little painful in the second-half against Real, but that doesn’t matter for a match like this.
“I’m training hard and I think I will be 100% for Saturday. It is a massive game that I hope to win, because that will give us more chances in the league. We know it’s very important to win there, if not they will be many points ahead.”
Ten points ahead, in fact, with a game in hand and only 10 games left to play: not the kind of lead Alex Ferguson’s sides are prone to giving away.
Torres’ team-mate Javier Mascherano, who was at his destructive best in the Liverpool midfield on Tuesday, underlined the importance of Torres being fit enough to unsettle a United’s rock-solid back four.
“Fernando was fantastic against Real,” the Argentina captain said. “He was unbelievable.
“Hopefully he can be at the same level against United on Saturday because he is so important for us.
“We know that it will be really difficult at Old Trafford but we have to try to play in the same way as we did against Real.”
Barring a late setback for Torres, Liverpool are expected to stick with what is now an established first-choice line-up: Mascherano and Xabi Alonso shielding the defence, Dirk Kuyt on the right, Ryan Babel on the left and Steven Gerrard and Torres marauding through the middle. — AFP
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