Boss: No risks with pair

Rafael Benitez has insisted Liverpool will take no risks over the fitness of Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun.

Benayoun returned to training last week after spending almost four weeks on the sidelines with a broken rib sustained against Reading in January. 

Torres, meanwhile, is continuing to make good progress in his recuperation from a knee injury. 

However, Benitez admits the pair will not make their first-team returns until the boss is satisfied they are fully recovered. 

"It is important to keep an eye on them all," said the Spaniard. "There is a difference between players being available and players being ready to play a game. If they come back early and are ready to play, that is good news for us but we have got to make sure that we do not push them back too soon. 

"We need to make sure they will be okay for the last two months of the season. They are all getting that bit closer. 

"But when you have a broken rib, like Yossi, or you have the meniscus problem that has kept Fernando out, you cannot reduce the time (it takes to get over the injury). 

"It is impossible to get it down to three or four weeks but hopefully it won't be too long now and we will be really pleased when they are back. 

"They have quality and, of course, they will help us. But, not only that, they will give us good competition for places." 

In the absence of Torres and Benayoun, Dirk Kuyt has performed admirably in attack for Liverpool. 

The Dutchman has plundered four goals in his last five appearances - including his 50^th strike for the club against Everton - leading Benitez to praise the 29-year-old's contribution. 

"The main thing for the team is always to have players ready," said the Reds boss. "You can have star players like Fernando and Stevie but you need others to help also. 

"Dirk is a player with fantastic commitment and he can also score goals; he is the type of player every manager would want. 

"I have been really pleased with him and so have his teammates. The fans also realise that, with his 50 goals and the way he can play in so many positions. 

"He is a player we should all be proud of."

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