Rafa's reaction to double injury blow

Rafa Benitez is confident Liverpool will be able to cope without the services of star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres against Sunderland on Saturday.

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Having failed to recover from knocks sustained on international duty this week, the Reds are forced to travel to the Stadium of Light without the pair.
 
"We knew there could be a problem with Steven and Torres, so we are trying to manage with the players we have," Benitez told reporters at his pre-match press conference at Melwood.
 
"We have our ideas and we will see if we can manage tomorrow.
 
"Stevie is the captain, a leader and a player with quality who can always score goals. Clearly we will have to change something, but that is the situation and we will have to adapt."
 
The loss of Gerrard and Torres comes as a blow to Benitez's preparations for the journey to the North East.
 
However, the manager is hopeful of having the twosome available for key fixtures with Lyon and Manchester United next week.
 
There was also some positive news on the injury front as Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger both came through training unscathed following their international exertions.
 
Benitez added: "Kuyt and Agger are okay and have been training with no problems.
 
"We also still have Mascherano, Insua and Lucas to come back today, so it hasn't been easy to prepare, but we have been working with the players we have.
 
"We cannot change the situation, so I prefer to concentrate on Sunderland and keep things positive."
 
Liverpool will journey to the North East looking to avenge defeats to Fiorentina and Chelsea prior to the international recess.
 
Having shipped 12 goals in eight league matches so far, Benitez is keen for his men to shore up defensively, without lessening an attacking prowess that has found the back of the net 22 times already this term.
 
"We are in a situation now where we are scoring a lot of goals, but also conceding some," he said.
 
"We have to keep the balance and try to continue scoring goals without conceding. That means the team working harder in defence and keeping the same mentality in attack."
 
The Reds' defensive trouble has led to some quarters questioning the form of Jamie Carragher - but the boss was quick to defend his vice-captain.
 
He said: "I have supported Carra from the beginning when people were claiming he has 'no legs'. I think this is not true.
 
"Physically he is okay, but when your make a mistake it lowers your confidence, so for me it is a question of confidence.
 
"How can we improve this? With the team improving defensively and making it easier for the goalkeeper and the defenders."
 
Liverpool will come up against an in-form Black Cats side, who are enjoying their best start to a Premier League campaign in a decade - thanks in no small part to the form of summer signing Darren Bent.
 
The striker has plundered seven league goals to help elevate the Wearsiders into eighth place in the table, and the boss knows he will be a dangerous proposition for his charges.
 
"When you talk about Darren Bent, he is scoring goals every year. Now he has more confidence," said the Spaniard.
 
"Sunderland are doing well. They have some good players, are working very hard and are playing some good football and scoring goals at home, so it will be a tough game for us.
 
"They are always difficult to play against and we know from experience that there are no easy games in the Premier League."
 
Sunderland will hope to receive international clearance in time to field former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden after they snapped-up the ex-Holland international on a free-transfer.
 
"I think the game could be too soon for him, but I have very good memories of his time here," added the gaffer.
 
"Bolo is a fantastic professional and a very good player. I will be really pleased to see him again and talk with him."