Liverpool legend Ian Rush believes that the Reds desperately need to find a way of covering for the absence of Fernando Torres.
The striker's problems with injury over the last couple of seasons have been well-documented, and Rush feels that the Reds' lack of form when the Spaniard is not in the team has become a real issue for manager Rafael Benitez.
Benitez left the striker out of the goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend as the player nursed another knee problem, and Rush feels that the time has come to ease the burden on the shoulders of Torres.
"Even when he’s carrying an injury there’s an argument to play him," Rush told The Liverpool Echo.
"The medical staff will know whether he could or couldn’t have played on Sunday.
"Obviously, they’re trying to look after him to get him ready for the rest of the season if possible. Or maybe Rafa Benitez felt the team was good enough to beat Fulham without Torres.
"That’s when you need a good squad, to get you through these games.
"We can’t keep relying on Torres though.
"We don’t want to get to a situation where as soon as Torres doesn’t play we stop winning.
"It’s too much to ask of one player all the time and that’s why Liverpool need to invest in the squad with people who are capable of keeping things going when some of the star players are out."
And Rush believes that the excuse that it is hard to find a stand-in for a player of such stature will not wash with supporters for much longer.
He added: "Whoever comes in when he doesn’t play has a big job trying to live up to those standards, but that is what the supporters expect."
The striker's problems with injury over the last couple of seasons have been well-documented, and Rush feels that the Reds' lack of form when the Spaniard is not in the team has become a real issue for manager Rafael Benitez.
Benitez left the striker out of the goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend as the player nursed another knee problem, and Rush feels that the time has come to ease the burden on the shoulders of Torres.
"Even when he’s carrying an injury there’s an argument to play him," Rush told The Liverpool Echo.
"The medical staff will know whether he could or couldn’t have played on Sunday.
"Obviously, they’re trying to look after him to get him ready for the rest of the season if possible. Or maybe Rafa Benitez felt the team was good enough to beat Fulham without Torres.
"That’s when you need a good squad, to get you through these games.
"We can’t keep relying on Torres though.
"We don’t want to get to a situation where as soon as Torres doesn’t play we stop winning.
"It’s too much to ask of one player all the time and that’s why Liverpool need to invest in the squad with people who are capable of keeping things going when some of the star players are out."
And Rush believes that the excuse that it is hard to find a stand-in for a player of such stature will not wash with supporters for much longer.
He added: "Whoever comes in when he doesn’t play has a big job trying to live up to those standards, but that is what the supporters expect."
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