Fernando Torres has been ruled out of Liverpool’s meeting with Sunderland on Tuesday night, but captain Steven Gerrard is expected to start.
Gerrard was an injury worry for the visit of Sunderland after limping off in the closing stages of Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, but it has been confirmed that he was only suffering from cramp.
Torres has failed to recover in time from the ankle injury he sustained in last week’s UEFA Champions League win over Real Madrid.
“Stevie was OK and will hopefully be available tomorrow,” Benitez told the club’s official website.
“Torres is not ready yet. We have to wait to see how he progresses but he won’t be in the squad.
“Arbeloa has a problem with his hamstring. He’s had the problem before. It could be another week.”
