Rafa on collision course with Capello
Sunday November 08 2009
RAFAEL BENITEZ is braced for a dispute with Fabio Capello over Steven Gerrard after demanding the England manager use "common sense" and omit the midfielder from the squad for the forthcoming friendly against Brazil, which is due to be announced tonight.
The appeal comes despite the Liverpool manager's admission he will see if Gerrard can play through the pain against Birmingham City tomorrow night.
Benitez is desperate to field Gerrard and Fernando Torres at Anfield after a run of one win in eight matches that has left Liverpool sixth in the Premier League, out of the Carling Cup and close to elimination from the Champions League. The influential pair have made only fitful contributions during that sequence because of injuries sustained on international duty last month, when Gerrard aggravated a groin problem against Ukraine and Torres developed a hernia while training with Spain.
Both players remain at risk of surgery, and a specialist in Valencia, Dr Ramon Cugat, told Torres he required three weeks' rest when the player sought a second medical opinion on Thursday night. Benitez, however, is prepared to play Gerrard and Torres against Birmingham as he attempts to revive Liverpool's season -- but he believes England and Spain should overlook the pair for Saturday's friendlies against Brazil and Argentina respectively.
"I have spoken to Spain's technical director, Fernando Hierro, and their fitness coach, and I explained the situation on Torres," said the Liverpool manager. "They know exactly what is going on and they understand it will be very difficult to go with a player who is not 100 per cent. And they have already qualified. I don't know about England because I have not spoken with them, but Gerrard is in a worse situation to Fernando because he has not been training with the team for 15 days. I don't see the point in taking a player who has not trained for 15 days.
"We don't have an agreement with Spain, we just hope for common sense. I'm sure they understand. I am hoping for common sense from England."
- ANDY HUNTER
Sunday Independent
