Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has said his side can cope without captain Steven Gerrard in their Premier League game with Fulham at Anfield on Saturday.
Gerrard, who has failed to recover from torn groin muscle that kept him out of England’s friendly win over Germany, is also likely to be sidelined for his side’s Champions League group stage game with Marseille next Wednesday.
Benitez, whose side currently lie second in the table and have enjoyed their best start to a Premier League season since its inception in 1992, said his current squad is better equipped than ever to cope without Gerrard.
“This squad is better. So, when you don’t have Steve who is a key player for us, you lose something. But, you have to manage.
“[Fernando] Torres is fit. [Robbie] Keane is fit, because he had a problem with his shoulder.
“I think we have enough options up front and in the middle and I think we can cope [with Fulham].”
Meanwhile, the west Lodon side, who have failed to win at Anfield in their previous 21 visits, received praise from the Spaniard “We know it will be difficult.
"Fulham are playing well, their manager Roy Hodgson is doing a good job.
"They have two strikers doing well, we know all about [Andrew] Johnson from his time at Everton, and Fulham have energy and quality.
"After an international break we know, though, that things can be more difficult."
Gerrard, who has failed to recover from torn groin muscle that kept him out of England’s friendly win over Germany, is also likely to be sidelined for his side’s Champions League group stage game with Marseille next Wednesday.
Benitez, whose side currently lie second in the table and have enjoyed their best start to a Premier League season since its inception in 1992, said his current squad is better equipped than ever to cope without Gerrard.
“This squad is better. So, when you don’t have Steve who is a key player for us, you lose something. But, you have to manage.
“[Fernando] Torres is fit. [Robbie] Keane is fit, because he had a problem with his shoulder.
“I think we have enough options up front and in the middle and I think we can cope [with Fulham].”
Meanwhile, the west Lodon side, who have failed to win at Anfield in their previous 21 visits, received praise from the Spaniard “We know it will be difficult.
"Fulham are playing well, their manager Roy Hodgson is doing a good job.
"They have two strikers doing well, we know all about [Andrew] Johnson from his time at Everton, and Fulham have energy and quality.
"After an international break we know, though, that things can be more difficult."
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