Roy Hodgson is considering taking a gamble by thrusting Fernando Torres into Liverpool’s squad tomorrow as he bids to secure a flying start to the new season.
He has spent much of the last 12 days working in the gym and has not kicked a ball in competitive action since Spain beat Holland in Johannesburg on July 11 but his rehabilitation has gone smoothly.
What's more, Hodgson knows how much of a psychological lift it would give to both his team-mates and the crowd if Torres takes a place on the bench against Arsenal and, as result, he is wrestling with a decision.
Hodgson will only name his team after training at Melwood today but, clearly, he is considering involving Torres, who despite being dogged by fitness issues last term still scored 18 goals.
"Torres has a chance," said Hodgson, who is expected to start Dirk Kuyt. "He has made a remarkable effort to get himself fit and ready for Premier League football.
"He really has worked extremely hard in the two and a half weeks he has been back. I certainly don't rule him out. But at the same time I haven't ruled him in.
"I couldn't say he has got no chance of playing because he has. It hasn't surprised me, his chances were being played down by the sports science people.
"They were saying in an ideal world he would have a longer preparation period and they are rightly concerned as well that if he plays too early, he could have recurrence of a knee problem.
"That would then rule him out for a longer period. It is quite simply a balancing job. Do we take the risk of putting him in early or do we put him back into a pre-season type programme?
"And, of course, the player's feelings have to be taken in to account as well. So it is quite a delicate mixture but the bottom line answer is 'yes' - he could be considered to play against Arsenal."
No comments:
Post a Comment