Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
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Rafa confirms Torres blow

07 Feb 2008 - 13:24:32

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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out of Sunday's high-profile Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

The club's 18-goal top-scorer limped out of Spain's 1-0 friendly victory over France in Malaga on Wednesday with a hamstring problem and Reds boss Rafael Benitez has ruled him out of the weekend showdown.

Earlier on Thursday, Torres himself hinted he would be fit for the trip to Liverpool.

However, an unhappy Benitez has ruled him out and hit out at the timing of the latest round of international friendlies.

But Benitez has received a glimmer of good news after hearing Javier Mascherano should be fit despite the midfielder still being away on international duty with Argentina.

"We have lost Torres and Mascherano is not back until tomorrow," he told the club's official website.

"I don't think it (friendly situation) is fair. I think Mascherano will be okay for Sunday but we will have to see.

"The news we have on Torres is that it is a hamstring injury. I need to talk to the doctor but I think he will miss this game. Normally it is a week when a player goes off like this.

"It is a big problem."

The Reds were already without injured quartet Daniel Agger, Andriy Voronin, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio plus the suspended Xabi Alonso for a match they can't afford to lose if they are to retain any hope of winning the title.

Liverpool are currently 11 points adrift of third-placed Chelsea and looking for only their second Premier League victory since Boxing Day.