Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he fears defender Martin Skrtel has broken a toe after he was carried off injured in their defeat of Unirea Urziceni.
The Reds came from a goal down to run out 3-1 winners on the night in Bucharest and 4-1 on aggregate, sealing their place in the Europa League last 16.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for the Romanians but Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard ensured a comfortable night for all except Skrtel.
The Slovakia international went down in a heap after a challenge from Unirea’s Antonio Semedo before being stretchered off and Benitez confirmed his fears.
„I think he maybe has a broken toe and I have to check with the doctor,” Benitez told the club’s official website. „We will have to check but I don’t think it’s good news for us.”
Despite the set-back, Benitez was happy with how his team responded after conceding from a corner early on, with Unirea causing problems with deliveries all afternoon.
„We conceded a goal and we then had to be calm and just keep playing our game,” added the Spaniard.
„They have good deliveries from set pieces and it was difficult to defend but then we scored our goal and scored again from a set piece. At the end of the day we knew it could be like this tonight.”
Mascherano does not get his name on the scoresheet often but when he does they tend to be spectacular, and he lived up to that billing with his scorcher of a strike to bring Liverpool level.
Meanwhile, Babel was rewarded a rare start on the wing and also got in on the scoring, and his manager was pleased with his all round display.
„Ryan is working hard and has been doing well in the training sessions so that is the way the players have to be if they want to play,” added Benitez.
Stunning Aston Villa fan Rachel Dale was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios on Saturday.
Andy Gray explains who should buy in the transfer window and why – and who will just have to make do.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitiez maintains the Europa League is a big part of his plans for the rest of the season.
A superb second-half strike from Bobby Zamora gave Fulham a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in their Europa League tie.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he fears defender Martin Skrtel has broken a toe.
Liverpool had to come from behind to earn a 3-1 victory away to Unirea Urziceni.
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Benitez reveals Skrtel fears
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he fears defender Martin Skrtel has broken a toe after he was carried off injured in their defeat of Unirea Urziceni.
The Reds came from a goal down to run out 3-1 winners on the night in Bucharest and 4-1 on aggregate, sealing their place in the Europa League last 16.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring for the Romanians but Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard ensured a comfortable night for all except Skrtel.
The Slovakia international went down in a heap after a challenge from Unirea’s Antonio Semedo before being stretchered off and Benitez confirmed his fears.
„I think he maybe has a broken toe and I have to check with the doctor,” Benitez told the club’s official website. „We will have to check but I don’t think it’s good news for us.”
Despite the set-back, Benitez was happy with how his team responded after conceding from a corner early on, with Unirea causing problems with deliveries all afternoon.
„We conceded a goal and we then had to be calm and just keep playing our game,” added the Spaniard.
„They have good deliveries from set pieces and it was difficult to defend but then we scored our goal and scored again from a set piece. At the end of the day we knew it could be like this tonight.”
Mascherano does not get his name on the scoresheet often but when he does they tend to be spectacular, and he lived up to that billing with his scorcher of a strike to bring Liverpool level.
Meanwhile, Babel was rewarded a rare start on the wing and also got in on the scoring, and his manager was pleased with his all round display.
„Ryan is working hard and has been doing well in the training sessions so that is the way the players have to be if they want to play,” added Benitez.
Stunning Aston Villa fan Rachel Dale was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios on Saturday.
Andy Gray explains who should buy in the transfer window and why – and who will just have to make do.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitiez maintains the Europa League is a big part of his plans for the rest of the season.
A superb second-half strike from Bobby Zamora gave Fulham a 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in their Europa League tie.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he fears defender Martin Skrtel has broken a toe.
Liverpool had to come from behind to earn a 3-1 victory away to Unirea Urziceni.
