Reds face waiting game over Torres
Fernando Torres does not need operation on his groin injury, Liverpool claim
Also In The News
|
By James Christie
Russian Marat Safin extended his career by saving three match points in his first round match at his last ever tournament. |  |
Tuesday, 10, Nov 2009 03:06
By Alistair Potter.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted Fernando Torres could be out of action for up to three weeks because of his ongoing injury problems.
The Spanish striker's availability has been severely limited since the international break last month because of a groin strain, and he was forced to sit out last night's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City.
Although Benitez played down speculation that an operation could be the only option to get Torres back to full fitness, the Reds manager hinted he may not be fit for the crunch match against top four rivals Manchester City in two weeks' time.
"Torres had no confidence and said he couldn't play [against Birmingham], so we started the treatment yesterday," Benitez said.
"He has to work with the physios and try to improve and be ready. We are not talking about an operation at this moment - we're talking about treating him properly.
"I don't know if he will be ready for Man City [on November 21st]. The only thing I can say is we're talking about two or three weeks working with the physios.
"We haven't got a deadline, we just need to see how he is every day."
A poor run of form for Liverpool in recent weeks has heaped pressure on Benitez.
And the Anfield coach's position has not been helped by a number of recent injuries, which have apparently been exacerbated by Monday's draw against the Blues with wingers Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun both suffering hamstring tears.
Benitez continued: "Riera had the same problem as before. The players are sometimes available but not 100 per cent ready.
"We thought he was okay but in the end you can see he wasn't.
"Yossi has the same problem as Riera. Some players are playing too many games in a row. They are working very hard and so you always have this risk. I think both will have tears."