THINGS have gone from bad to worse for Liverpool with the news that Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun are all ruled out through injury.

The trio were injured during Wednesday night’s shock FA Cup defeat to Reading at Anfield, with scans revealing they will spend various spells on the sidelines.

Torres is the main concern for manager Rafael Benitez who was told his star striker requires knee surgery and faces up to six weeks out.

Benayoun sustained a fractured rib in the 2-1 loss, which could keep him out for a month, while Gerrard picked up a hamstring strain and is unlikely to play for at least a fortnight.

A club spokesman said yesterday: “Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both underwent scans earlier today after coming off in the FA Cup tie against Reading.

“Steven has a hamstring strain and will be out for a fortnight, while Fernando has torn a cartilage in his right knee. The injury will require surgery and he is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

The triple injury blow threatens to derail Liverpool’s disastrous season further.

Seven Premier League defeats mean Liverpool face a fight to finish in the top four and reclaim their Champions League status next season.

And after crashing out of the competition in December and now the FA Cup, the club’s only hope of silverware is the Europa League.

Gerrard and Benayoun should be back in time to face Unirea Urziceni when the rebranded competition resumes on February 18, but the second leg in Romania a week later could still come too soon for Torres.

More pressing for Benitez though is the selection dilemma he now faces for Saturday’s trip to Stoke and then Tottenham’s visit to Anfield next Wednesday for the rearranged league match.

Both games are vital for Liverpool, who are currently seventh in the table, four points behind fourth placed Tottenham.

David Ngog is likely to deputise for Torres again.

The French striker has scored six goals this season when called upon to stand in for the Spain international who has started just 19 of Liverpool’s 30 games due to a succession of injury problems.

As Albert Riera also makes his way back from injury, Ryan Babel could replace Benayoun, as could Maxi Rodriguez who finally completed his move from Atletico Madrid this week.

Read the article on Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool FC rocked by injuries to Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun

THINGS have gone from bad to worse for Liverpool with the news that Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun are all ruled out through injury.

The trio were injured during Wednesday night’s shock FA Cup defeat to Reading at Anfield, with scans revealing they will spend various spells on the sidelines.

Torres is the main concern for manager Rafael Benitez who was told his star striker requires knee surgery and faces up to six weeks out.

Benayoun sustained a fractured rib in the 2-1 loss, which could keep him out for a month, while Gerrard picked up a hamstring strain and is unlikely to play for at least a fortnight.

A club spokesman said yesterday: “Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres both underwent scans earlier today after coming off in the FA Cup tie against Reading.

“Steven has a hamstring strain and will be out for a fortnight, while Fernando has torn a cartilage in his right knee. The injury will require surgery and he is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

The triple injury blow threatens to derail Liverpool’s disastrous season further.

Seven Premier League defeats mean Liverpool face a fight to finish in the top four and reclaim their Champions League status next season.

And after crashing out of the competition in December and now the FA Cup, the club’s only hope of silverware is the Europa League.

Gerrard and Benayoun should be back in time to face Unirea Urziceni when the rebranded competition resumes on February 18, but the second leg in Romania a week later could still come too soon for Torres.

More pressing for Benitez though is the selection dilemma he now faces for Saturday’s trip to Stoke and then Tottenham’s visit to Anfield next Wednesday for the rearranged league match.

Both games are vital for Liverpool, who are currently seventh in the table, four points behind fourth placed Tottenham.

David Ngog is likely to deputise for Torres again.

The French striker has scored six goals this season when called upon to stand in for the Spain international who has started just 19 of Liverpool’s 30 games due to a succession of injury problems.

As Albert Riera also makes his way back from injury, Ryan Babel could replace Benayoun, as could Maxi Rodriguez who finally completed his move from Atletico Madrid this week.

Read the article on Liverpool Daily Post

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