Agger, Torres & Mascherano Latest

Rafa Benitez has been boosted by news Javier Mascherano is back in training after recovering from a knock sustained against Arsenal at the weekend.

The Liverpool boss is also hopeful of having Fernando Torres back in two weeks, slightly less than originally thought.

Benitez said: "It is the same problem as before with Fernando. Hopefully he can be fit in two weeks.

"We thought he was ready for the Arsenal game and during the match I asked him two or three times if he was okay because clearly he wasn't fit. He is not the sort of player who normally gets injuries and that's the reason he didn't feel what he had. That was the problem.

"Javier is okay. He trained today and so we've had good luck with him."

Meanwhile, Daniel Agger, who hasn't featured since Portsmouth on September 15, is still 10-16 days away from a return following a metatarsal break.

Benitez added: "He is continuing to progress but with this kind of injury he needs time. I think we need to wait another 10-16 days."

Liverpool are still waiting news on Xabi Alonso, who is due to see a specialist today.

Double Boost For Benitez

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is hopeful striker Fernando Torres will make a quicker-than-expected return from a thigh problem.

The club's record signing was withdrawn at half-time in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Arsenal - on his return after missing two matches with an adductor injury - and it was anticipated he would be out for a further three weeks.

However, Benitez believes the Spain international may return sooner.

"It is the same problem as before with Fernando. Hopefully he can be fit in two weeks," said the manager.

"We thought he was ready for the Arsenal game and during the match I asked him two or three times if he was okay because clearly he wasn't fit.

"He is not the sort of player who normally gets injuries and that's the reason he didn't feel what he had. That was the problem."

There was better news on Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano, who hobbled through the closing stages of the draw against the Gunners with a bruised foot.

"Javier is okay. He trained today and so we've had good luck with him," Benitez added.

The Reds boss is still awaiting news on how long he will be without Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is seeing a specialist about a broken metatarsal - his second of the season.

Centre-back Daniel Agger, who has not played since September 15 after also breaking a metatarsal, is still two weeks away from fitness.

"He is continuing to progress but with this kind of injury he needs time. I think we need to wait another 10-16 days," Benitez told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv.

Aston Villa Linked With Record Bid For Liverpool’s Peter Crouch

According to widespread reports in England on Wednesday, Aston Villa are ready to break club record in their attempt to sign Liverpool striker Peter Crouch in January.

The Villans had signed attacker Ashley Young for club record £9.65 million from Watford during January this year.

Crouch, who has been a target for speculation since end of last season with Newcastle United linked to the England international, had been largely unsuccessful when he was with Villa from 2002-2004 scoring only six goals in 47 Premiership appearances.

He was then sold to Southampton, from where after a year he joined Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has stressed time and again that Crouch firmly remains in his plans and he is not for sale.