Rafa Benitez reckons the ongoing return to form and fitness of three of his biggest stars is just the shot in the arm Liverpool need as they bid to get back to their best.
The disappointment of Wednesday night's draw with Wigan was only eased in the eyes of the Reds boss by the fact the game allowed Martin Skrtel, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano to get more playing time under their belts.
Incredibly, before last week the trio had not appeared in the same consecutive games all season.
Skrtel was out for three months with a knee ligament injury, Torres has been in an out of the side because of hamstring problems and Mascherano has not figured as regularly as expected because of struggles with his form and fitness following his participation in the Olympic Games in Beijing.
But, having seen them all start against Wigan and Everton, Benitez now believes it won't be long before all three are back to their best.
"We have some good options now," said the Reds boss.
"We have Skrtel and Mascherano, who have been much better, Agger who is fit again and Torres who is coming back.
"These are good options for us because they are good players who can play at a very good level and if they are fit we will have a strong squad for the rest of the season.
"Skrtel was a very nice surprise for us because in only his second game back against Everton he was playing at the same level as he was before."
Benitez believes the Olympics took a heavy toll on Mascherano, who has struggled to repeat his excellent form of last season in the current campaign.
But in recent weeks the Reds boss has seen indications that the Argentinian is about to get back to his best, something Benitez believes would be a massive boost to his team as Liverpool look to get back to winning ways.
He said: "Mascherano has shown in every training session that he has commitment, passion and is a good worker. Now, if he is feeling better, it will be a good addition for us.”
Benitez knows that Liverpool need to start winning games after a run of four consecutive draws and, with Chelsea set to visit Anfield on Sunday, is aware a victory over the London side is exactly what is needed to get back on track.
"We would like to start winning right now," he added.
The disappointment of Wednesday night's draw with Wigan was only eased in the eyes of the Reds boss by the fact the game allowed Martin Skrtel, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano to get more playing time under their belts.
Incredibly, before last week the trio had not appeared in the same consecutive games all season.
Skrtel was out for three months with a knee ligament injury, Torres has been in an out of the side because of hamstring problems and Mascherano has not figured as regularly as expected because of struggles with his form and fitness following his participation in the Olympic Games in Beijing.
But, having seen them all start against Wigan and Everton, Benitez now believes it won't be long before all three are back to their best.
"We have some good options now," said the Reds boss.
"We have Skrtel and Mascherano, who have been much better, Agger who is fit again and Torres who is coming back.
"These are good options for us because they are good players who can play at a very good level and if they are fit we will have a strong squad for the rest of the season.
"Skrtel was a very nice surprise for us because in only his second game back against Everton he was playing at the same level as he was before."
Benitez believes the Olympics took a heavy toll on Mascherano, who has struggled to repeat his excellent form of last season in the current campaign.
But in recent weeks the Reds boss has seen indications that the Argentinian is about to get back to his best, something Benitez believes would be a massive boost to his team as Liverpool look to get back to winning ways.
He said: "Mascherano has shown in every training session that he has commitment, passion and is a good worker. Now, if he is feeling better, it will be a good addition for us.”
Benitez knows that Liverpool need to start winning games after a run of four consecutive draws and, with Chelsea set to visit Anfield on Sunday, is aware a victory over the London side is exactly what is needed to get back on track.
"We would like to start winning right now," he added.
No comments:
Post a Comment