THE loss of Fernando Torres for a fortnight due to a hamstring injury is a massive blow for the Reds but they can’t afford to dwell on that setback.
It’s the third time the striker has been injured on international duty in the past year and it’s especially infuriating as he’s going to miss the trip to Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
With his goals against Everton and Manchester City he looked like he was getting back to his best and he is obviously absolutely crucial to the club’s hopes of maintaining a title challenge.
However, the Reds have proved they can win without him before and now they have to do so again.
When Torres limped off against Aston Villa last month it was all doom and gloom because we all knew he would miss the game against Manchester United.
But despite no Torres or Gerrard, the other lads rose to the challenge that day and got a vital three points.
We need to show that same kind of spirit against Wigan today, in Madrid on Wednesday and at Chelsea next Sunday.
It will be very interesting to see how Rafa goes about setting the side up in Torres’ absence.
He could push Dirk Kuyt further forward into a central striking role but I think he might go for Robbie Keane up front on his own with Steven Gerrard playing just behind him.
Robbie has led the line on his own many times before and he’s got all the necessary qualities.
His confidence will also be sky high after following up his first strike for the Reds with a goal for Ireland in midweek.
While Torres is out, it’s a great chance for Keane to grab centre stage and continue the form he has shown in recent weeks.
His contribution to this Liverpool side has never been questioned but hopefully now the goals will flow.
It won’t be easy today because Wigan are a tricky team.
Steve Bruce has got them very well organised and has made some astute signings.
Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki picked up knocks in midweek but if they play Wigan have the firepower to cause us problems.
But today it’s all about what Liverpool do. And having beaten Manchester United and Everton and then pulled off that amazing comeback win at Manchester City, the Reds must ensure they don’t waste this great start to the season.
IT was an ugly win but three points was all that mattered for Ireland on Wednesday.
After Robbie Keane nodded home early on I think everyone was expecting us to go on and win comfortably. But Cyprus came right back into it and in the end we had to really scrap it out.
It was great to see Damien Duff back to his best, while Kevin Doyle and Keane posed a real threat up front and Richard Dunne was Jamie Carragher-like at the back.
With seven points out of nine so far this Irish side has got a bit of respect back.
There’s a long way to go but World Cup qualification is certainly a very realistic ambition.
It’s the third time the striker has been injured on international duty in the past year and it’s especially infuriating as he’s going to miss the trip to Stamford Bridge next Sunday.
With his goals against Everton and Manchester City he looked like he was getting back to his best and he is obviously absolutely crucial to the club’s hopes of maintaining a title challenge.
However, the Reds have proved they can win without him before and now they have to do so again.
When Torres limped off against Aston Villa last month it was all doom and gloom because we all knew he would miss the game against Manchester United.
But despite no Torres or Gerrard, the other lads rose to the challenge that day and got a vital three points.
We need to show that same kind of spirit against Wigan today, in Madrid on Wednesday and at Chelsea next Sunday.
It will be very interesting to see how Rafa goes about setting the side up in Torres’ absence.
He could push Dirk Kuyt further forward into a central striking role but I think he might go for Robbie Keane up front on his own with Steven Gerrard playing just behind him.
Robbie has led the line on his own many times before and he’s got all the necessary qualities.
His confidence will also be sky high after following up his first strike for the Reds with a goal for Ireland in midweek.
While Torres is out, it’s a great chance for Keane to grab centre stage and continue the form he has shown in recent weeks.
His contribution to this Liverpool side has never been questioned but hopefully now the goals will flow.
It won’t be easy today because Wigan are a tricky team.
Steve Bruce has got them very well organised and has made some astute signings.
Emile Heskey and Amr Zaki picked up knocks in midweek but if they play Wigan have the firepower to cause us problems.
But today it’s all about what Liverpool do. And having beaten Manchester United and Everton and then pulled off that amazing comeback win at Manchester City, the Reds must ensure they don’t waste this great start to the season.
IT was an ugly win but three points was all that mattered for Ireland on Wednesday.
After Robbie Keane nodded home early on I think everyone was expecting us to go on and win comfortably. But Cyprus came right back into it and in the end we had to really scrap it out.
It was great to see Damien Duff back to his best, while Kevin Doyle and Keane posed a real threat up front and Richard Dunne was Jamie Carragher-like at the back.
With seven points out of nine so far this Irish side has got a bit of respect back.
There’s a long way to go but World Cup qualification is certainly a very realistic ambition.
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