Torres needs a three-week rest but Reds boss Rafa's ready to risk him

06 November 2009 17:48
Fernando Torres does not need surgery on his groin injury but has been told to take three weeks' rest, according to reports in Spain. [LNB]However, Sportsmail understands that Anfield boss Rafa Benitez is considering risking his talisman in Monday's fixture at home to Birmingham.[LNB]If Torres was to listen to the Spanish diagnosis, the striker would miss Liverpool's next four matches, including the must-win Champions League match at Debrecen and the Merseyside derby on November 29.[LNB] Playing through the pain: Fernando Torres played most of Liverpool's match against Lyon[LNB]The 25-year-old was assessed in Valencia on Thursday afternoon afterseeking a second opinion on his injury from Spanish expert Dr RamonCugat.[LNB]He has so far played through the pain of a problem described as not a full hernia but a deeper groin injury affecting his adductor muscle.[LNB]Battle: Fernando Torres has been determined to avoid surgery[LNB]Torres has now returned to Merseyside and the Reds hope he will be ableto train lightly. Liverpool have not confirmed the diagnosis coming outof Spain and indicate he will be monitored in the run-up to Monday'shome match against Birmingham.[LNB]Cugat is said to have concluded that Torres has got his wish to avoidsurgery, but a three-week lay-off would still be a huge blow toLiverpool, who have lost Steven Gerrard to a similar injury.[LNB]In that case, the former Atletico Madrid star would miss the Reds' home matches against Birmingham and Manchester City on November 21. [LNB]More crucially, he would sit out the game in Debrecen on November 24 and the derby at Everton on November 29.[LNB]He is also thought to want to play for Spain against Argentina nextSaturday at his former home ground, the Vicente Calderon stadium ofAtletico Madrid.[LNB]Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is under huge pressure after seeing his team beaten in six of their last eight matches.[LNB]The Reds saw matches turn in their last two matches after substituting Torres. Last week they lost 3-1 to Fulham after he had made the score 1-1.[LNB]And the No 9 looked a long way from match fitness as Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw in France on Wednesday night, which takes their hopes of progress to the Champions League last 16 out of their hands.[LNB]Before the latest news, Benitez admitted Torres had been close to surgery.[LNB]And, of the Lyon match, he said: 'Fernando played with pain, and after the game he still had the same problems that have troubled him for a few weeks.[LNB] Watching brief: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard (left) was reduced to the role of spectator with his wife Alex Curran during Liverpool's victory over Manchester United last month[LNB]'He wants to wait, rather than have an operation. He wants to work withthe physios to  try to solve his problems, but still he has pain.[LNB]'He told me he needed to keep stopping during the game because of the pain.[LNB]'Whetherthere is the need for him or Steven (Gerrard) to have an operation is adecision we will probably not take straight away. [LNB]'We must see how they can improve, and by how much. Then we will decide about any possible operation.'[LNB]Major doubts remain over whether Gerrard will have overcome his groin injury.[LNB]There is better news over defender Martin Skrtel, who may be back for Monday's match, following a virus.[LNB]However, Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio will miss out with calf problems, while Albert Riera (hamstring) and Martin Kelly (ankle) remain sidelined.[LNB]Benitez said: 'We should have Martin Skrtel back at least. And we have some days now to work with the rest of the injured players.[LNB]'It is too early to say who else may be fit, the physios have a lot of work to do.'[LNB] Liverpool ace Fernando Torres flies back to Spain for tests on troublesome groin 'Disgrace' in Lyon sparks £100million rescue plan for LiverpoolAnd then there were two: Bolton join the poppy parade - unlike Manchester United and LiverpoolManchester United the kings of Europe as Premier League clubs flood the top 50 best supported sides across the ContinentLIVERPOOL FC

Source: Daily_Mail