Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of captain Steven Gerrard for their Champions League qualifier in Belgium next week as their skipper faces a race against time to be fit against Standard Liege.
Gerrard’s injury was the only low spot of an otherwise successful evening for Rafael Benitez’s side last night as they cruised to a 4-1 friendly victory over Norwegian club Valerenga in Oslo .
It was the second time in four days that Liverpool netted four goals in a game and the scorers were the same quartet that netted in the 4-0 demolition of Rangers on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso opened the scoring in the first half and despite the hosts equalising through Serb Bojan Zajic just after the break, second-half strikes from Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog sealed a comfortable win in front of a large contingent of Norwegian-based Liverpool supporters.
Gerrard was withdrawn 27 minutes into the game and Benitez, who is already without Olympic-bound midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva for the tie against the Belgian champions, admitted that he faces an agonising wait.
He said: “It is a thigh strain. We need to wait but it could be one week.”
Benitez recalled Alonso in midfield and although he is also expected to bring back Pepe Reina in goal in time for the Liege game, his first choice side is gradually being reassembled with the help of some impressive-looking youngsters along the way.
He said: “It is close to the team for next week. We have some players at the Olympic Games, so we used some young players and they showed quality.
“But maybe we will see the majority of the players we used in the first half.
“It was another good work-out. It was a good game, with four goals for us and good play. But the players aren’t 100% yet – that would be difficult right now. The other team were fitter than us but you could see we were passing, pressing and the understanding between the players was better. I am really pleased with the result. Normally when you have quality, when you are playing well and creating chances, you will score goals.”
Liverpool were cheered on by an enormous contingent of Norwegian-based supporters at the game and Benitez was shocked by how large the club’s Scandinavian fan base really is. He said: “It was amazing and it was a surprise for us to see so many people in a red shirt. The support for the team here is really good.”
One player absent last night who should be fit for the trip to Belgium is Martin Skrtel.
The Slovakian defender picked up a groin strain in Saturday’s win over Rangers and although he will not be risked for Friday’s friendly against Italian club Lazio at Anfield, he is expected to be given the all clear the Standard Liege game.
Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto has agreed a two-year loan deal with Olympiakos after being denied a work permit to play in England next season.
The 21-year-old Argentinian, who arrived at Anfield from Lanus last summer as granted an Italian passport but it was later revoked.
Leto arrived in Athens late on Monday night to complete a medical and put pen to paper on a two-season deal with the Greek champions. He said: “Olympiakos is a challenge for me. I know I will be here for two years.
“I’ve had two weeks of pre-season training with Liverpool and I believe I will be ready to do whatever I have to. Olympiakos are a great team who challenge for every honour in Greece and in the Champions League. The team has some good players, a well known coach and fanatical supporters which always inspires them.”
Gerrard’s injury was the only low spot of an otherwise successful evening for Rafael Benitez’s side last night as they cruised to a 4-1 friendly victory over Norwegian club Valerenga in Oslo .
It was the second time in four days that Liverpool netted four goals in a game and the scorers were the same quartet that netted in the 4-0 demolition of Rangers on Saturday.
Xabi Alonso opened the scoring in the first half and despite the hosts equalising through Serb Bojan Zajic just after the break, second-half strikes from Fernando Torres, Yossi Benayoun and David Ngog sealed a comfortable win in front of a large contingent of Norwegian-based Liverpool supporters.
Gerrard was withdrawn 27 minutes into the game and Benitez, who is already without Olympic-bound midfielders Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva for the tie against the Belgian champions, admitted that he faces an agonising wait.
He said: “It is a thigh strain. We need to wait but it could be one week.”
Benitez recalled Alonso in midfield and although he is also expected to bring back Pepe Reina in goal in time for the Liege game, his first choice side is gradually being reassembled with the help of some impressive-looking youngsters along the way.
He said: “It is close to the team for next week. We have some players at the Olympic Games, so we used some young players and they showed quality.
“But maybe we will see the majority of the players we used in the first half.
“It was another good work-out. It was a good game, with four goals for us and good play. But the players aren’t 100% yet – that would be difficult right now. The other team were fitter than us but you could see we were passing, pressing and the understanding between the players was better. I am really pleased with the result. Normally when you have quality, when you are playing well and creating chances, you will score goals.”
Liverpool were cheered on by an enormous contingent of Norwegian-based supporters at the game and Benitez was shocked by how large the club’s Scandinavian fan base really is. He said: “It was amazing and it was a surprise for us to see so many people in a red shirt. The support for the team here is really good.”
One player absent last night who should be fit for the trip to Belgium is Martin Skrtel.
The Slovakian defender picked up a groin strain in Saturday’s win over Rangers and although he will not be risked for Friday’s friendly against Italian club Lazio at Anfield, he is expected to be given the all clear the Standard Liege game.
Meanwhile, Liverpool midfielder Sebastian Leto has agreed a two-year loan deal with Olympiakos after being denied a work permit to play in England next season.
The 21-year-old Argentinian, who arrived at Anfield from Lanus last summer as granted an Italian passport but it was later revoked.
Leto arrived in Athens late on Monday night to complete a medical and put pen to paper on a two-season deal with the Greek champions. He said: “Olympiakos is a challenge for me. I know I will be here for two years.
“I’ve had two weeks of pre-season training with Liverpool and I believe I will be ready to do whatever I have to. Olympiakos are a great team who challenge for every honour in Greece and in the Champions League. The team has some good players, a well known coach and fanatical supporters which always inspires them.”
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