Not happy: Fernando Torres is substituted at St
Andrew's
Rafa Benitez had Liverpool fans asking whether winning
the Europa League was more important than finishing fourth in the
Barclays Premier League as he substituted Fernando Torres 25
minutes from the end of the 1-1 draw at Birmingham
City.
Liverpool were level at the time and the draw leaves them four
points behind fourth-placed Manchester City, having played a game
more.
Benitez decided to take off 20-goal leading scorer Fernando
Torres midway through the second half, even though the player
looked disappointed with the decision to replace him with David
N'Gog.
Benitez admitted his side now have "no margin for error" if they
are to have any hope of qualifying for the Champions League next
season. 'It is not a good point, despite Birmingham playing so well
here this season.
'We deserved to win. We had a very good chance in the first half
and a lot in the second half.
Dynamic duo: Gerrard celebrates with Torres after
putting Liverpool ahead
'We didn't have any margin for error beforehand and now
we have less margin in terms of coming fourth.
'But it depends on the other teams and how they do as well. We
have to believe we can win all our remaining games and have
confidence the other sides will lose.
'We just have to keep going because there are still a lot of
points to play for.
'But we said beforehand that we had to win the final six
matches, or possibly draw one and win five. Now we have to win all
remaining five matches.'
