Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admitted the decision to include striker Fernando Torres against Manchester United was a last-minute one. The Spanish international was struggling with a groin injury in the week leading up to the season-defining clash and was a huge chance of missing the match but Benitez decided to start him and it paid dividends after he scored in the 2-0 win over the Red Devils.
Benitez revealed that he was unsure what to do on the morning of the game but made a decision and stuck with it.
"In the morning I had decided that he would be involved, but I needed convincing he could start rather than just be a substitute," Benitez said.
"I talked with Fernando on the coach, and that was when I was really convinced that he could play.
"Playing Fernando was a difficult decision. He was not training, the same as Steven Gerrard.
"But after talking with him we decided it was better to start the game with him."
Benitez added that although Torres was not at peak fitness, the fact the is such a dangerous player was always going to make him a threat.
"You could see he was not 100% fit, but sometimes 80% of Fernando can make a difference," added the manager.
"We had to be very careful with him, that is why we took him off near the end.
"You have to take care of him. But we were waiting for that final pass and when it came we knew he would score."