Rafael Benitez admits it will take "a lot of effort" to raise
Liverpool's spirits ahead of Saturday's lunchtime trip to
uncompromising Stoke.
The Reds are reeling after a humbling loss to Reading in the
FA Cup in midweek and a triple injury blow that has ruled out
Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun.
Star striker Torres is the worst hit, being told he faces a
six-week lay-off after a scan revealed he needs surgery to repair a
torn knee cartilage. Influential captain Gerrard will be out for a
fortnight with a hamstring injury while playmaker Benayoun has a
cracked rib that will keep him on the sidelines for up to four
weeks.
They join Glen Johnson in the treatment room, with the
full-back also out until mid-February with a knee problem.
Liverpool, seventh in the Premier League, must now rouse themselves
to get their bid for a top-four place back on track.
But immediately standing in their way are a difficult Stoke
side, who twice held Liverpool to goalless draws last season.
Benitez said: "We have to start again. All I can do is start
thinking about the next game.
"We can only carry on and be ready for the next game. All we
can say is that we must focus on the next challenge, but I accept
that it will be tough to raise spirits.
"But we cannot change the Reading result, we must move
forward. We have to think only about the future."
About the only plus point for Benitez as he surveys an
injury-ravaged squad low on confidence, is that Javier Mascherano
has now completed a four-match ban and can return to the side.
New boy Maxi Rodriguez could also be involved as his
international clearance should be through by the weekend. Liverpool
now face two tough games in a week that will shape the rest of
their season.
After the Stoke match, they meet Tottenham at home next
Wednesday and if they can rediscover some form, they can still cut
back the deficit they face in the race for a top-four finish.
