Yossi Benayoun must prove his wellbeing in training today to stand any chance of being involved in Liverpool’s crucial Europa League tie with Lille.
The Israeli midfielder picked up a knock to his ankle during Monday night’s 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic and was unable to take part in yesterday’s warm down session.
He will be monitored closely at Melwood today – and will have further treatment – before boss Rafa Benitez decides whether to include him in his travelling party.
Benitez is already without Maxi Rodriguez (ineligible) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) for the round of 16 clash and is considering making several changes to his starting line-up.
Not surprisingly, Benitez is still livid about the performance at the DW Stadium that has dented Liverpool’s hopes of a top four finish and is demanding a reaction in France.
“We were poor in the first half but we improved a little in the second,” said Benitez, who has Daniel Agger available again after he was ruled out of the Wigan game with illness.
“The positive for me is that we showed a better attitude and some character in the second half at Wigan and we have show it again in the Europa League.”
As Liverpool had only lost one Premier League game in 2010 and had show gradual signs of improvement, Monday’s display took Benitez completely by surprise.
But, as he points out, there is no point dwelling on the disappointment and he has urged his players to show the spirit that had put their campaign back on track.
“We had done well in the last 10 games and showed in games against Stoke, Blackburn and Bolton that we knew how to battle,” said the manager.
“We have just got to make sure we move forward quickly. It was always going to be difficult to qualify for the Champions League and it is even more difficult now.
“We just have to carry on and make sure that we are ready to get three points in our next game against Portsmouth.
“Sometimes in football it is better to rest but it is good that we have got a game so quickly; we will stick together and work hard.”
The Israeli midfielder picked up a knock to his ankle during Monday night’s 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic and was unable to take part in yesterday’s warm down session.
He will be monitored closely at Melwood today – and will have further treatment – before boss Rafa Benitez decides whether to include him in his travelling party.
Benitez is already without Maxi Rodriguez (ineligible) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) for the round of 16 clash and is considering making several changes to his starting line-up.
Not surprisingly, Benitez is still livid about the performance at the DW Stadium that has dented Liverpool’s hopes of a top four finish and is demanding a reaction in France.
“We were poor in the first half but we improved a little in the second,” said Benitez, who has Daniel Agger available again after he was ruled out of the Wigan game with illness.
“The positive for me is that we showed a better attitude and some character in the second half at Wigan and we have show it again in the Europa League.”
As Liverpool had only lost one Premier League game in 2010 and had show gradual signs of improvement, Monday’s display took Benitez completely by surprise.
But, as he points out, there is no point dwelling on the disappointment and he has urged his players to show the spirit that had put their campaign back on track.
“We had done well in the last 10 games and showed in games against Stoke, Blackburn and Bolton that we knew how to battle,” said the manager.
“We have just got to make sure we move forward quickly. It was always going to be difficult to qualify for the Champions League and it is even more difficult now.
“We just have to carry on and make sure that we are ready to get three points in our next game against Portsmouth.
“Sometimes in football it is better to rest but it is good that we have got a game so quickly; we will stick together and work hard.”
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