‘We’re in good shape’ claims Liverpool manager after Everton defeat: Do supporters agree?

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Are the Reds over-reliant on Steven Gerrard? The answer surely has to be a resounding yes after the Liverpool captain was substituted after just ten minutes of Wednesday night’s match at Everton. Without their skipper, the visitors struggled to create a clear goalscoring opportunity, and it appears that they might have to do without his services for the next few weeks.

Nevertheless, Rafael Benitez is trying to look on the bright side of life after their FA Cup exit, looking forward to a sustained challenge both for Premier League and Champions League honours. The Daily Telegraph reports that the Spaniard was disappointed that his team couldn’t hold on for penalties at Goodison Park, while also pointing out that Steven Gerrard is absolutely knackered after is exertions of the past few weeks.

A dejected Rafael Benitez said: “Steven was tired, and he gets injured. He was tired, too, at Wigan but when I took him off there everyone was saying he had to play every single minute of every match. Now you have seen the consequences.

“He asked to be taken off, you could see at Wigan he was struggling and the same thing happened here.”

Benitez said: “We are really disappointed, to play for a long time with 10 men and to concede like that from a deflection at the end, you have to be disappointed.

“The turning point of the game was the second yellow card for Lucas, I was not happy, but I do not want to say anything about the referee.”

On the extra-time defeat, he said: “It’s very negative to be out the Cup, we have to concentrate on the league and the Champions League. They are massive competitions and we are in very good shape.”

Liverpool fans, do you agree that the team is in good shape? It appears that Gerrard could miss several matches with a hamstring injury, while Fernando Torres ploughed a lone furrow for 120 minutes on Wednesday night, barely getting the support required. Are there any supporters who wish the club had kept hold of Robbie Keane?

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