Source: Telegraph
Liverpool suffer injury blow as Fernando Torres is ruled out
The Spaniard lasted for just an hour at the Bernabeu in midweek, before limping off, delivering yet another blow to manager Rafael Benitez's Premier League title campaign. [LNB]The injury was assessed after the side returned from Madrid, and while they wait to find out the extent of the damage, Torres looks set to miss out on the weekend's must-win clash at the Riverside. [LNB]"The ankle was bad but it maybe wasn't the worst injury," Benitez said. 'He was limping and uncomfortable and we decided to bring on Ryan Babel. [LNB]'We don't know yet how bad it is. Probably he will miss some games. We have a game on Saturday and it will be difficult for him to be ready."[LNB]Already seven points behind Manchester United in the league, Benitez will not want to rush his striker and so could sit him out next week when Liverpool host Sunderland. [LNB]Should this be the case, along with the FA Cup giving the club a rest next weekend, Torres stands to return for the second leg against Real and the potentially title-deciding match at Old Trafford four days later. [LNB]The injury will frustrate Torres who has struggled for fitness all season with a series of hamstring injuries. [LNB]Meanwhile, amid the never-ending speculation over the future of Benitez, and claims that players are no longer committed to their manager, Albert Riera has dispelled any suggestions of a fall-out. [LNB]"I am sure if you asked all the players if they wanted Rafa to stay with us, 100 per cent would say yes," he said. "We don't have time to think about the boss' contract of other players' contracts but, of course I am happy to hear he'll stay."[LNB]
