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Benitez: Fitness is holding Garcia back

Feb 11 2006

By David Prior, Daily Post

 

Luis Garcia

RAFAEL BENITEZ claims Liverpool have still not seen the best of Luis Garcia as the Anfield manager lifted the lid on the fitness problems contributing to a difficult second season for the midfielder.

Garcia has shown only glimpses of the form that saw him claim 13 goals in his opening campaign on Mersey-side, when he also played a telling role in the journey to Champions League glory.

The Spaniard played for 45 minutes for the reserves on Thursday night as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, but is still not ready to be part of the squad that attempts to end a three-game winless run at Wigan today.

And while admitting that Garcia was a player who "can frustrate sometimes", Benitez insists his dip in form is mainly down to a lack of fitness.

Benitez said yesterday: "Luis felt pain in his knee and has done for a month and a half. He's been working with the physios. He's not 100% fit so he's playing in the reserves trying to improve. He's not in the squad for tomorrow's game.

"Some players with power or who are good in the air might not need to be 100%.

But a player like Luis, who likes his tricks, needs to be fully fit.

"It's impossible for him to run against the centre-backs if he can't run a bit quicker than them."

He added: "He's a player who can frustrate sometimes. He can do the best things and the worst things sometimes. He needs to be more consistent, certainly, but he can do different things like getting into the box and tricking people.

"He was not at his best in the reserves last night, but he still did some things that no one could do apart from him. It's like he did for us in Europe last year - that goal against Juventus (in the quarter-final) was fantastic.

"He can be an amazing player, but he can also lose the ball with an easy pass."

 
 

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