Rafa: Why I took off Torres

Rafa Benitez defended his decision to substitute Fernando Torres in the second half of the 3-1 defeat to Fulham and claimed he was protecting his star striker.

El Nino scored a brilliant equaliser on the stroke of half-time but was replaced after 63 minutes with the scores level at 1-1.
 
"We decided to play Fernando against United which was a difficult decision because he wasn't 100 per cent fit," the boss told his post-match press conference.
 
"After this game he needed four days to be ready again but he still isn't 100 per cent fit, so we had to decide if he could start today or use him for part of the second half. We decided to start with him but I have to protect the player.
 
"We decided to take him off just after the hour because I want to protect him and don't want to lose an important player like Fernando for one month. We had options in attack when he came off."
 
Reflecting on the loss at Craven Cottage, Benitez said: "Always it's hard to take any defeat but especially this one because we were in control of the game.
 
"I was really surprised because the first half was a one sided game. We made one mistake when we conceded a goal but after Fernando scored we were in control.
 
"I don't know the percentage of possession we had but it was unbelievable to concede in the first half after controlling everything.
 
"They were more offensive in the second half and we made a massive mistake when we conceded the second goal. We then had two players sent-off."
 
Meanwhile, the Reds boss revealed the club will make an appeal over the two red cards shown to Philipp Degen and Jamie Carragher.
 
"For me, the first one with Degen was a yellow card, and with the second one it was clear that Carra was kicking the ball and not Zamora," he added. "I watched the replay and it is clear.
 
"We will try to appeal against both red cards because for me it's very clear that Carra was kicking the ball and the other one Degen was not kicking the player.
 
"It was difficult to take but it was a good response from the nine players who worked hard, but always it's very difficult to come back against 11 players.
 
"We now have a difficult game against Lyon. My concern now is we have too many injuries and we have to analyse which players will be available for Wednesday.
 
"All the managers want to win games and when you are not winning you have to analyse why, and we are doing this.
 
"Everyone saw the game against United and you saw we have confidence and we can do it.
 
"It's a question of taking your chances when you create them and don't make massive mistakes like today and give a lift to the other team.
 
"We have to be calm, keep working hard and find solutions."