It’s a football-free weekend for Liverpool, having been eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round. The Reds’ next match is the visit of Romanian side Unirea Urziceni in the Europa League.
The good news coming from Melwood on the injury front is that Yossi Benayoun has returned to training, and Jamie Carragher is expected to be fit for the key-clash away to Man City next Sunday.
Although Rafa Benitez has scotched rumours of an early return from injury for Fernando Torres.
Benayoun, who suffered a rib injury in the defeat to Reading last month, trained on Friday and could be available that all important match at Eastlands.
Benitez is hopeful Carragher will be okay to face City after he was forced off in the defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday with a groin injury. An injury no doubt the consequence of a prolonged spell at full back for the Reds’ centre back.
“It wasn’t very serious but he could not continue [at Arsenal]. I am not sure if he will be available for Thursday against Unirea, but maybe he will have a chance against City,” said the boss.
Meanwhile, Rafa has hinted youngster Dani Pacheco could be involved against Unirea. The 19 year old Spaniard has been involved in recent weeks from the bench and could make his full debut soon.
“Every day you are thinking about when you can play, he has been on the bench a lot and sometimes you are thinking when it might be right to put him on,” explained Benitez.
“When we let [Andriy] Voronin go [to Dynamo Moscow], we immediately brought Dani into the group and every day you can see that he is progressing. His training is good. But you also have to think about senior players and giving time to others who need it. The one thing we know, though, is Dani is a player with quality.
“He has game intelligence and we know that he can make a difference. He is still very young but we are pleased with him and he is doing well. Dani has no problems when he is in possession. He is clever and he always wants to try difficult things but that shows the quality that he has.
“The fact he is training with us shows what we think of him. He is with us all the time and that means he can play at any time.
“It depends on the game but, clearly, if he continues to keep working as he has been doing, he will definitely gets his chance.”
