Benitez philosophical over freak beach ball goal

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez remains philosophical over the freak 'beach ball' goal that should not have stood. Sunderland striker Darren Bent's shot was deflected into the net via a stray beach ball that was thrown onto the pitch by a Liverpool supporter.

"We are not blaming or worrying about the goal at Sunderland, there is nothing we can do about that now or change the situation, we just intend to move forward," said Benitez in the Independent.

"It was unusual and hopefully it will not happen again. It was something that could not be avoided, certainly from the players.

"At the time I felt it was just a balloon, it was not until afterwards that we saw the replay and realised it was more than a balloon, much more.

"But it is clear now that the goal could have been disallowed. Maybe in the future that would not be allowed to happen again."

Former Premiership referee says goal should never have stood

Former Premier League referee Jeff Winter has expressed his amazement that Sunderland's freak goal in Saturdays Premiership clash with Liverpool was allowed. Darren Bent's fifth minute goal deflected off a red beach ball that had been thrown onto the pitch by a Liverpool fan. Fifa rules firmly state that the goal should have been disallowed and play should have been restarted with a dropped ball.

"I'm absolutely amazed. It is basic law in football. The goal should just not have stood," said Winter in the Telegraph.

"The laws of the game state that if there's an outside interference the game has to be stopped."

"I am absolutely amazed that for a referee at that level of football, that between him, his assistant, the fourth official, they didn't see what had happened and give the correct decision."

"I try to defend referees wherever possible having been there and knowing the problems they face but, on this particular occasion, everybody's having a laugh and a joke about it, but this is far more serious in terms of the laws of the game than when the referee doesn't see the ball go over the goalline."

Referee Mike Jones has been dropped from Premiership action this weekend and will take charge at Peterborough, who entertain Scunthorpe United in the Championship. A Premier League spokesman has also confirmed the match will not be replayed despite the controversial goal.

Gerrard and Torres sidelined for Sunderland clash

Todays Premiership clash with Sunderland could prove a tougher test then first thought, now that news has emerged that both Liverpool's influential captain Steven Gerrard and Spanish marvel Fernando Torres have been sidelined for the match at Wearside.

Both players sustained injuries whilst on international duty in midweek. Gerrard missed England's win over Belarus on Wednesday after picking up a groin injury in the defeat by Ukraine. Torres suffered from an adductor problem in Spain's win over Armenia last weekend and he was rested for the midweek win over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The duo are not the only casualties, as new signing Sotirios Kyrgiakos suffered a knee injury during Greece's 2-1 win over Luxembourg. Early indications suggested the former Rangers man may have sustained cruciate ligament damage, however a scan confirmed this not to be the case.

As if to compound Benitez's selection problems further, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua, only arrived back on Merseyside after a fifteen hour flight from Buenos Aires yesterday.

Liverpool manager has increasingly become frustrated by his players sustaining injuries whilst away on international duty:

"Both Steven and Fernando still have some problems," Benitez confirmed during his pre match press conference yesterday.

"They will need more time and won't be available this weekend. I think they could be available for next week," reports Sky Sports.

"We were talking with our medical staff and analysing all the problems, but now we can't change the situation and would prefer to concentrate on Sunderland," he said.

"I need to worry about the players I have rather than those I don't."

Dirk Kuyt had also suffered from an ankle problem in midweek but Benitez confirmed it was not an issue and the Dutch international is likely to lead the forward line.

"Kuyt is okay. He was training normally with the team and will be available," added Benitez.

"With Kyrgiakos we were really worried because people were talking about maybe six months, but after the scan we think one week to ten days. That's very positive," he said.

The Reds boss also confirmed summer signing Alberto Aquilani is now training with the first team.

"His physical problems, he is okay and now he has to work on his condition and so hopefully he will be fitter next week," he said.

"But he is now training with the first team and that is the most important thing."

Aquilani set to make debut against Sunderland

Alberto Aquilani is set to make his Liverpool debut next week when the Reds face Sunderland in their next Premier League fixture on the 17th.

Aquilani who has been recovering from ankle surgery has blamed previous club: Roma's medical set up for his spate of frustrating injuries.

He said: "They were always changing doctors over there and there was no continuity, but I have already noticed a big difference here," said Aquilani in the Telegraph.

"From the outset they told me they would not try to rush me back because they did not want to risk a recurrence of the problem.

"I want to put all my injury worries behind me. After spending some time with Liverpool's medical staff I feel I can do that now."