Torres sub story leaves Reds facing a Euro sob story

Published 11:39 06/04/10

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Undoubtedly, there was going to be only one major talking point in Liverpool’s frustrating draw at Birmingham and it definitely wasn’t going to be either of the goals.

Eyebrows were raised by supporters, media and even players after Rafael Benitez took off a seemingly fit Fernando Torres, much to the bewilderment of both the striker and his sparring partner Steven Gerrard, whose facial expression said it all.

It has been claimed that Benitez’s attempt at managerial suicide was motivated by having one eye firmly on Thursday’s visit of Benfica in the Europa League, but there appeared to be a method in his madness, as David Ngog’s introduction actually saw more chances created by the visitors.

Unfortunately, the 21-year-old’s creativity could not make up for a failure to convert those chances that Torres would no doubt have finished, suggesting that the Spaniard's presence alongside the Frenchman in attack would have been beneficial.

With the exception of last season, Liverpool’s away record under Benitez has been far from exemplary and they have never beaten Birmingham during his Anfield reign.

The fact that all of their four counterparts also left St Andrews this season with a solitary point, as did all bar one of their rivals for that final Champions League place, offers very little comfort, with travel sickness condemning them to eight defeats and five draws on the road so far this season.

Sunderland’s win over Tottenham Hotspur offered Benitez the perfect opportunity to close the gap between his side and the North Londoners in the race for fourth but, just like last season, the Spaniard failed to seize the opportunity which ultimately cost him the title.

A lack of strength in depth has been evident throughout but one look at the substitutes’ bench last weekend showed a very different line-up to the threadbare one that Liverpool took to White Hart Lane at the beginning of the current campaign.

Having the luxury of Daniel Agger, Javier Mascherano and Alberto Aquilani to name but three in the dugout suggested that the side are returning to near full strength, personnel-wise at least, but the omission of the trio from the starting line-up fuels the flames of the ‘one eye on Europe’ theory.

Agger’s presence would have provided some much-needed stability in central defence with Glen Johnson’s defensive frailties heavily exposed throughout the game, most notably for Liam Ridgewell’s equalising goal.

This fact has been largely overlooked and regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, the general consensus is dictating that taking off Torres on Sunday has cost the club the Champions League place they so desperately covet.

There is some truth in that statement, as Benitez did guarantee a fourth-place finish and he may remain true to his word on that pledge when the final whistle is blown May 9, but it appears to be slipping further out of his reach after this result.

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