Injuries darken Rafa’s Reds outlook

rafaandtorres It doesn’t rain but it pours, just ask Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.

The Merseysiders were dumped out of the FA Cup by Championship Reading at Anfield on Wednesday and now three of their key players are injured.

Talismanic striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for six weeks, while Yossi Benayoun and inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard are also set for spells on the sidelines.

The trio were injured during the humiliating 2-1 FA Cup loss to Championship strugglers Reading which piled on the pressure for Benitez.

The injury to Torres is the biggest blow with the Spanish striker requiring surgery on a torn knee cartilage that will rule him out for six weeks.

It is expected that Gerrard will be missing for a fortnight with a torn hamstring while Benayoun, who has been one of the Reds’ best players this term, will be absent for up to four weeks with a fractured rib.

The loss of three key players is the last thing Benitez needed in the aftermath of another embarrassing result.

The Reds have already been dumped out of the Champions League and Carling Cup and remain 12 points behind Premiership leaders Chelsea, having already lost seven league games.

Currently seventh in the top flight, they are facing a tough battle to retain a top-four place and their only realistic prospect of silverware this season comes in the shape of the Europa League.

Alarm bells are certainly ringing at Anfield, with pundits and supporters alike apparently split on whether Benitez should be given the boot.

However, those in charge of the club have given the manager their backing but it remains to be seen how long their patience will last.