Sunday, January 13, 2008

Benitez May Rest Torres Again For Luton Replay

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez was surprised by the criticism he received for not using Fernando Torres when the Reds drew against Luton Town last week - but nevertheless is considering leaving the Spanish striker out again for Tuesday’s FA Cup replay.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was criticised earlier this season when he used Fernando Torres in a Carling Cup tie at Reading, after having rested him a few days earlier for a Premier League game against Birmingham that the Reds drew 0-0.

Last week Benitez again chose to rest his star striker - in the FA Cup third round against Luton, when Liverpool were fortunate to emerge with a 1-1 draw and a replay.

After his rest, Torres looked sharp in yeserday's Premier League clash at Middlesbrough, scoring a superb equaliser.

Now Benitez has suggested that he might rest his leading scorer again.

"I was surprised when a journalist questioned me about not using my strongest team," Benitez told the official Liverpool website.

"We had 10 international players in the side but the journalist was just talking about Fernando Torres, so I think he didn't know exactly about our squad.

"We will approach the replay with the same idea. I will use a strong team again because we want to progress in The FA Cup.

"It is a fantastic competition and we want to win it again."

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