FA CUP/Liverpool v Reading:FERNANDO TORRES has claimed redemption is not beyond Liverpool this season and that victory in the FA Cup plus Champions League qualification would represent the most successful campaign of his Anfield career.
Rafael Benitez’s team host Reading in an FA Cup third-round replay at Anfield tonight with the manager acutely aware there can be no mistakes against the Championship side. With his side seventh in the Premier League and eliminated from both the Champions League and League Cup, the FA Cup has a greater significance for Benitez, who has now been informed he can spend the proceeds of any sale involving Ryan Babel after the Liverpool hierarchy performed a U-turn on his transfer budget for this month.
Torres was at Atletico Madrid when Steven Gerrard inspired Liverpool’s recovery against West Ham United in the FA Cup final of 2006, the club’s last trophy, but remembers that remarkable final vividly. And he believes a repeat at Wembley, plus overcoming the increased threat from Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa to achieve a top-four finish, would surpass last season’s achievement of runners-up in the Premier League.
The Spain international said: “I remember watching the 2006 final when Liverpool played West Ham – it was a great match. Pepe, Stevie and Carra have told me all about it. In this country it is the most important trophy after the title. Winning gives you the chance to get more honours. Of course we want to finish in the top four too. If we could do that and win the Cup it would be the best season we’ve had for the last three or four years. I know we finished second but to win something and finish in the top four would be better than that.”
Liverpool survived an anaemic display and the shock of falling behind to Simon Church’s first-half goal to secure a replay at Reading 11 days ago. And Torres concedes Liverpool must produce a vast improvement at Anfield. “In one game anything can happen. We have to remain focused to ensure teams don’t surprise us,” the striker added. “It was a tough evening for us. Any time you go away to face a Championship team it is difficult. Hopefully we can overcome them in the replay. We are confident of doing so.”
Liverpool have not played since the tie at the Madejski Stadium and, with the exception of the injured Glen Johnson and Javier Mascherano, who serves the final game of a four-match suspension tonight, are expected to be at almost full-strength. Albert Riera, Martin Kelly and Nabil El Zhar are also on Liverpool’s injury list, and the signing of Maxi Rodriguez has been delayed by his loyalty payment dispute with Atletico Madrid.
Benitez has demanded a ruthless attitude at Anfield. “We have to approach the game thinking about winning and not giving them any chances,” he said. “In the Premier League you have to win but if you can’t you say ‘unlucky’. But in the Cup you have to win. The attitude is more important against teams from a lower division. After that you know you have some quality, but attitude is the key.
“I remember the game against Barnsley and we were not doing badly. We had some chances and then conceded in the last minute. It was unlucky but it’s the same situation now because it’s a cup competition – you have to win and can’t make any mistakes.”
