Rafa defiant despite recent injury troubles

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has lost two more players to injury, just before Wednesday's important Champions League Group E tie in France. The Reds were already without captain Steven Gerrard, Albert Riera, Martin Kelly and Martin Skrtel. Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio have now both pulled out with calf injuries. Fernando Torres has travelled to Lyon despite a groin injury, while Alberto Aquilani is available after a virus. Benitez also has fitness concerns over Daniel Agger's back and David Ngog's ankle. Neither played in the 3-1 defeat by Premier League rivals Fulham at the weekend. The Reds were beaten 2-1 by Lyon at Anfield a fortnight ago, and are third in Group E at the moment. They need to win to enhance their chances of qualifying to the knockout stages. Benitez is also under scrutiny for his decision to substitute Torres in the game against Fulham when the two sides were drawing 1-1, although the manager insisted he had no choice but to replace the striker. Benitez said: "I was surprised with the criticism after the game because Fernando has had problems in the last month after the international games. He has not got the power he had before, so we have to manage and try to protect him. He cannot play well if you keep pushing him."

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ITN | November 4, 2009

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