Frustrated Benitez Stands By Torres Omisson.(September 22, 2007)
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was left frustrated by his team's goalless home draw against Birmingham City, but has stood by his decision to leave Fernando Torres out.

"You must be frustrated because you know before that you must win this kind of game," Rafa said after a second consecutive goalless draw, one that sees them fall four point off the pace, being set by red hot Arsenal.

"You could see we were attacking, attacking, attacking – especially in the first half.

"Clear chances are really difficult when the opponents play so deep. We had a lot of shots but they were off target.

"We tried in the wide areas, we tried to get crosses in – everything. It was really difficult but if you have some chances you must take them."

"We knew they would be deep and narrow and compact, so we needed the strikers to play between the lines."

The lack of bite in the final third posed the obvious question on Fernando Torres' omission - a tactical decision made by the Liverpool boss. However, Rafa staunchly defended his decision.

"Kuyt and Voronin can do this," he insisted.

"After, when we needed fresh legs, we brought on Fernando, but you could see how many times he got behind defenders – never.

"That's because there was no space."