CISSE: TORRES TIPS CAN IMPROVE NGOG

CISSE: TORRES TIPS CAN IMPROVE NGOG
Paul Hassall 07 November 2009



Djibril Cisse believes David Ngog can follow in Fernando Torres' footsteps and become one of the most feared strikers in England.

The France international, who now plies his trade with Greek side Panathinaikos, reckons his compatriot has all the attributes to make a big impact in the Barclays Premier League, and is tipping the 20-year-old to take his game to a new level alongside El Nino.

"Ngog scored against Manchester United recently and it is great for his confidence to find the net in such a huge game like that," Cisse told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"He's still very young and it will give him the belief that he can go on and make a big impact this season.

"He's a talented player with really good technique and pace. He trains every day alongside a player like Torres so he can learn a massive amount from him.

"Fernando's movement and all-round ability can rub off on David and if he can pick up any tips from him, then it can only serve to improve him as a player."

Thanks Info By Liverpoolfc.net

RAFA'S UPDATE ON INJURED SEVEN

RAFA'S UPDATE ON INJURED SEVEN
Steve Hunter 07 November 2009


Rafael Benitez is hoping to have seven of his injured stars available for selection against Birmingham City on Monday night.

The boss will make a late decision on whether to start inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres and he could also be boosted by the availability of Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Nabil El Zhar.

Speaking exclusively to Liverpoolfc.tv, after Saturday morning's training session, Benitez said: "We have a lot of good news with players coming back from injury and they all took part in a light training session this morning.

"Steven trained on Friday with the physios and did a light training session today with the team and did well. He is improving and has more confidence.

"We will decide on Monday before the game if he can play. He hasn't been training for a long time so we have to be careful.

"With Fernando we know he has to keep working with the physios and we will see how he progresses. We will see how is he is because he still has some pain so we will decide if he can play on Monday.

"Johnson did a light session today and will train again on Sunday. If he is okay then hopefully he will be available to play against Birmingham.

"Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Nabil El Zhar are doing well and were also involved in the training session so we will decide if they can play on Monday.

"Albert Riera also trained after his hamstring injury and that is good news for us.

"You can see we have had a lot of young players on the bench in recent weeks but we have more players back in training now. It's good for me and an option we didn't have available before."

Jamie Carragher will sit out this game as he serves a one-match ban for his sending-off against Fulham but Alberto Aquilani is in line for a first taste of the Anfield experience after he was an unused substitute in Lyon.

The Reds No.4 is unlikely to start against Alex McLeish's side but he is in the squad and the boss added: "His match fitness is still a problem.

"We are hopeful of having some players fit and available so maybe he can wait and change the game if it's necessary.

"We were controlling the game in Lyon and Lucas and Javier Mascherano were doing a very good job. When we scored we didn't want to change the shape. Aquilani was better after his virus and could have played some part but hopefully now he will be better for Monday."


Thanks Info By Liverpoolfc.net

TORRES AND GERRARD INJURY LATEST

TORRES AND GERRARD INJURY LATEST
Paul Hassall at Melwood 07 November 2009


Rafael Benitez today revealed that he will give Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard late fitness tests before deciding whether the duo can face Birmingham City on Monday.

The Reds boss has had to cope with a growing injury list in recent weeks but is hopeful he will be able to recall some key personnel when his side face Alex McLeish's men.

"We are improving. We have some players doing light training again. At least they are training and hopefully today they will be a bit better," he told his pre-match press conference.

"We will see if they can be available. There is a big difference between players being fit and whether they can be available.

"It is something we have to analyse. For example, yesterday Gerrard was training with the physios on his day off. He is improving. We don't know if he will be fit. We don't know if he will be available. We will have to analyse the situation. He was injured before and has now been 15 days without training with the team.

"Can he play or can he be on the bench? At this moment we do not know."

Asked about the fitness of Torres, the boss said: "He has gone to Spain to see a specialist. We have also been in contact with our medical staff. We know that he is a little bit better than he was before.

"He still has some problems and will be working with the physios. We don't know if he can face Birmingham. He can train, but we will have to manage the situation. After all this we will make a decision."

The injuries to both Gerrard and Torres have raised questions as to whether they will need surgery to cure their respective problems, but Benitez believes they must analyse each case carefully before making a decision.

"They have had experience of these types of problems for years, so it is a question of trying to keep going and to see how they react," he said.

"Each player is different. Some players will work with the physio and be fit throughout the whole season. Others may need to stop and then carry on again.

"Torres is playing with pain, but he is someone who has a positive and good mentality. He wants to play for the team and I think he can carry on.

"I was really surprised with the criticism after some games. You can see he's not 100 per cent. So when can we decide if he can carry on or not? Again, it depends on the reaction of the player.

"At this moment he is playing and trying to do his best. Sometimes you can see he is not fully fit, but he is improving. He was much better after the game against Fulham than he was against United. It was the same after Lyon, so he is improving.

"Stevie is totally different. He is clearly not fit and will need time. Fernando is not fully fit. There is a big difference."

He added: "We've done really well in the last year without them. We have had some bad results recently but if you analyse the late goals against Lyon, it is just one minute that could have made a massive difference in terms of the mood, the mentality and the team spirit.

"Everybody knows these two players are important for us but we can also manage without them."