Fernando Torres may be heartbroken at missing a dream return to Madrid, but Rafa Benitez for once is calm about the loss of his star striker.
A year ago the Liverpool manager would have been suicidal at the mere mention of the words Torres and hamstring injury in the same sentence.
But yesterday, as the Spaniard contemplated at least three matches without his centre-forward, he was able to offer a philosophical, almost cavalier response.
The reason is clear. Benitez clearly believes that he has finally arrived at a position where his squad is good enough to cope even with the loss of their main weapon.
That was proved a month ago when despite the loss of both Torres and Steven Gerrard, Liverpool beat Manchester United. And with new signing Robbie Keane approaching top form, Benitez is confident that even Atletico Madrid and Chelsea hold no fears.
"You look at positives and a big one for us was beating United without those two. After that game you could see how much more confidence the players had," he said.
"Before it both were pushing me to play them, but I have a lot of faith and belief in the others in my squad.
"In the past maybe we just did not have the same quality, but now we have and that gives me confidence.
"Sometimes you can have good players but not a good team - but I believe that we have both."
Torres will miss today's visit to Anfield of Wigan and according to his manager is definitely ruled out of next Wednesday's Champions League return to former club Atletico Madrid following the injury picked upon international duty for Spain.
Even though he is likely to be back for next week's tabletopping trip to Chelsea, the fact it is the THIRD hamstring problem he has suffered with his country is causing concern at Anfield.
Benitez has no problems with how Spanish boss Vicente Del Bosque is preparing his players. "You can't blame the manager or the fitness coach because Fernando said he was ready and in this case it's just bad luck," he said.
"But he has had three hamstring injuries with the Spanish national team and it's something we need to analyse as he's only had one in a year-and-a-half with us.
"For me the problem is all about playing too many games. If you have two matches, and one is against a country at a much lower level, maybe it would be better giving him a little break."
Liverpool face a Wigan side today that is led by Emile Heskey, a striker that Benitez is interested in bringing back to Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Reds boss though, wouldn't be drawn on his interest in the player, or the question of whether he'd have kept Heskey at Anfield if the striker had not left just days before he arrived as boss at the club.
"We can't sign anyone before the Wigan game so we won't talk about players from clubs when we're playing them."
A year ago the Liverpool manager would have been suicidal at the mere mention of the words Torres and hamstring injury in the same sentence.
But yesterday, as the Spaniard contemplated at least three matches without his centre-forward, he was able to offer a philosophical, almost cavalier response.
The reason is clear. Benitez clearly believes that he has finally arrived at a position where his squad is good enough to cope even with the loss of their main weapon.
That was proved a month ago when despite the loss of both Torres and Steven Gerrard, Liverpool beat Manchester United. And with new signing Robbie Keane approaching top form, Benitez is confident that even Atletico Madrid and Chelsea hold no fears.
"You look at positives and a big one for us was beating United without those two. After that game you could see how much more confidence the players had," he said.
"Before it both were pushing me to play them, but I have a lot of faith and belief in the others in my squad.
"In the past maybe we just did not have the same quality, but now we have and that gives me confidence.
"Sometimes you can have good players but not a good team - but I believe that we have both."
Torres will miss today's visit to Anfield of Wigan and according to his manager is definitely ruled out of next Wednesday's Champions League return to former club Atletico Madrid following the injury picked upon international duty for Spain.
Even though he is likely to be back for next week's tabletopping trip to Chelsea, the fact it is the THIRD hamstring problem he has suffered with his country is causing concern at Anfield.
Benitez has no problems with how Spanish boss Vicente Del Bosque is preparing his players. "You can't blame the manager or the fitness coach because Fernando said he was ready and in this case it's just bad luck," he said.
"But he has had three hamstring injuries with the Spanish national team and it's something we need to analyse as he's only had one in a year-and-a-half with us.
"For me the problem is all about playing too many games. If you have two matches, and one is against a country at a much lower level, maybe it would be better giving him a little break."
Liverpool face a Wigan side today that is led by Emile Heskey, a striker that Benitez is interested in bringing back to Anfield on a free transfer at the end of the season.
The Reds boss though, wouldn't be drawn on his interest in the player, or the question of whether he'd have kept Heskey at Anfield if the striker had not left just days before he arrived as boss at the club.
"We can't sign anyone before the Wigan game so we won't talk about players from clubs when we're playing them."
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