Liverpool Comment: Time To Stop Making Fernando Torres Play Through The Pain

Amidst the apparent ruins of Liverpool's Champions League campaign this week, Fernando Torres's fitness has been an equally hot topic around Anfield. The Spanish striker's late withdrawal in Lyon on Wednesday has divided opinion: some believe it was a needless and negative act on the part of Rafa Benitez, others marvel at how a man who was patently miles from full fitness was allowed to toil so heroically for 86 minutes.

Ever since Torres returned from international duty with Spain carrying this injury, Benitez has been forced to take weekly gambles on the well-being of his star forward. Steven Gerrard's eerily-similar injury has clearly exacerbated the situation, but, for a man known for his attention to detail, Benitez's handling of the delicate Torres highlights the pressure being felt at Liverpool.

Two years ago, Benitez would have been able to call upon Peter Crouch, a fresh and eager Ryan Babel, as well as the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Harry Kewell as auxiliary striking options. Even last season, when Torres suffered a series of hamstring troubles, the Spaniard could be adequately replaced by Robbie Keane.

Keane's departure in January, and the apparent inability to sign an alternative, has undoubtedly left Benitez with a dearth of trustworthy striking options. The fact that it was Andriy Voronin - a player who would certainly have been sold in the summer had an offer been forthcoming - who partnered Torres so ineffectively in Lyon is evidence of this.

Torres is expected to again put his body on the line as Liverpool face Birmingham at Anfield on Monday night, with Gerrard in line to make a surprise return of his own. The news will come as a huge relief to many at the club.

It is an endearing sentiment, players willing to risk their own health for the good of the team, but it is impossible to ignore the feeling that such behaviour smacks of desperation, and a mistrust of Benitez's squad players. It is hard to imagine certain other sides sending out their best personnel with bandages trailing, and Benitez himself spoke of how Torres had to "keep stopping during the game [in Lyon] because of the pain".

Trying Dutchman | Kuyt is not seen as a strike option

Babel made a case for his own inclusion against Birmingham with a breathtaking strike having come off the bench in France, but his overall contribution in the last 18 months has been inconsistent. The fact that the lumbering Voronin was chosen ahead of him Lyon is damning.

Voronin himself is perhaps the most distrusted of all, the Ukrainian was a free transfer in 2007, and has played like one for much of his Anfield career. The negativity which often surrounds his inclusion may be slightly unfair, but tells its own story.

Which leaves David Ngog and Kuyt. The Dutchman, of course, was signed initially as a centre forward, and possessed a prolific record from his career in Holland, but a combination of poor technique and lack of pace meant that he was unable to replicate such form in a red shirt. His work rate, intelligent positional play and unselfish nature, however, have made him a valuable member of the side, in a right-midfield role - though it is hard to see who would replace him there if Benitez asked him to return to his natural position.

Ngog, meanwhile, is the most promising. He may not possess Torres' adhesive touch, or the Spaniard's fear-instilling running power and finishing ability, but the young Frenchman - himself a bargain-bin signing at £1.5 million - is improving quickly. His goals-per-minute ratio at Anfield is pretty impressive (around one every 100 minutes of football), though half of his strikes have come as a late substitute.

Torres has today flown to Valencia in order to obtain a second opinion on the hernia problem which is proving so restrictive, but is expected to line-up for the Reds come Monday night. If he comes through this latest test, he will have the best part of a fortnight before the Reds entertain Manchester City on November 21.

The question is, how long can the club afford to play Russian Roulette with their prized asset, and what does it say about Benitez's faith in his squad?