Benitez calls for caution over duo

Benitez calls for caution over duo

Benitez calls for caution over duo

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N166377091107-1206.htm

Rafael Benitez has urged both Spain and England to apply common sense with Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard when the international break gets underway next week.

The Reds duo have been struggling with injury of late and the boss is keen for the respective countries to be cautious when naming their squads.
  
"I have spoken with the Spanish technical director, the fitness coach and (head coach) Vicente Del Bosque about Fernando," said Benitez.
  
"I have explained the situation and they know he is not fit at this moment and he needs to work hard with the physios for a while. It's a similar situation with Steven.
  
"When you have a player who has only been working with the physios and after there is an international break, it makes no sense to call these players when they are not fit.
  
"At this moment, I think both will be in a difficult situation (physically) for the next two weeks and the Spanish know this."

F**k em Rafa your the boss and you know that both players are not fully fit ...Stamp your foot down with both players and respective national teams and say they are not playing end off story !, Do whats best for Rafa, Liverpool FC and most importantly Gerrard and Torres's fitness.

Pretty sure England and Spain would be taking the piss if they called either player up. It would be insane.

They must be considering it if Rafa's quoted in a message on the official site though.

I don't trust England and Spain.

As per usual Spain and England prosper while we suffer

You'd think we are telling fibs.

If they're not fit enough to play for us then they're not fit enough to play for you!

Just hope common sense prevails in this.  You don't not play Gerrard if he's fit so Capello will hopefully realise that he really is injured, and Torres is obviously struggling.  Hope both national coachs have more of an eye on the finals and realise that if they risk either of them now, they might risk losing them for June.

I can't see either player being called up to be honest Torres is clearly not fully fit and Gerrard has not kicked a ball in anger for a fortnight or so, with both players facing the possibility of surgery and lengthy lay offs, it wouldn't be wise of the mangers of their respective countries to risk them in games that carry no significance other than pride.

The fact that the respective international coaches are considering even contacting Rafa after the manger has made them aware of Nandos' and Stevies' fitness issues would be ridiculous, the situation earlier in the season when the managers' word was questioned when he withdrew Gerrard from international duty illustrates however that the demands made on players in appearing for their country are patently ridiculous.