[lfc-news] Benitez faces up to a striker shortage - Echo

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Liverpool Echo, 21 Mar 2005
Benitez faces up to a striker shortage
By David Prentice At Anfield, Liverpool Echo

RAFA BENITEZ was left counting the cost of yesterday's compelling
Anfield derby success.

The Reds' boss ended the game with his entire strikeforce in the
dug-out, and was forced to make all three substitutions before half-time.

Injuries could see him without four key figures for the equally crucial
visit of Bolton in April.

Milan Baros will be suspended for three games following his reckless
red-card, but he could be joined on the sidelines by:

* Fernando Morientes, who could be missing for two to three weeks with a
"muscle problem."

* Dietmar Hamman, who has a knee injury which could sideline him for the
same period.

* Steve Warnock, who will be out for 10 days with an ankle knock.

* And Luis Garcia, who may take one/two weeks to shake off an ankle injury.

"I may start training now," joked Benitez, who was nevertheless
delighted by his side's character and attitude.

"I would like to see that type of mentality every match," he declared.
"I think we played a fantastic game.

"The first half we played at a high tempo with good passing.

"We lost three players, then played the second half with almost 10
players because Garcia had a problem - and then nine after the
sending-off - but we still created two good chances.

"Maybe the injuries are a reason why we have been inconsistent. We don't
have enough players to cover the right positions."

The Reds' boss tried to defend Baros for his red card which will see him
miss three games through suspension.

"It is very difficult," he said. "He has made one or two mistakes and
maybe he was frustrated and tried to tackle. I would like to see more
yellow cards in games rather than referees reaching straight for the red.

"But I think we played better than them and reduced the gap, which will
make it easier for us to play like that again with more confidence."

Benitez refused to single out individuals, adding: "I would prefer not
to talk about just Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, because Mauricio
Pellegrino, Jerzy Dudek, Steve Finnan and Luis all played good games today.

"We have 10 to 15 days to enjoy the situation because we have no more
games now."

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