Liverpool Football Club

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Brendan Rodgers

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45362

Rafa rejects Torres reports

05 Dec 2008 - 16:11:17

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has rejected claims that Fernando Torres will be out of action for longer than expected.

Torres is currently recovering from his latest hamstring injury which he picked up against Marseille on November 26.

Initial estimates suggested the Spain striker would be out for around two weeks, before Benitez claimed on Thursday that he would not rush his injury-plagued joint top-scorer back into action ahead of schedule.

However, Benitez has refuted subsequent reports that Torres has suffered a setback and is unlikely to be back in action until mid-January.

"Fernando is progressing and improving so hopefully he will be back sooner rather than later," he told the club's official website.

"It's just a question of waiting and not pressuring the player. I was with him today and he was okay. He has a lot of confidence now and when you have confidence, you can be fitter sooner.

"Everything is going well and I think it will be more or less the time we said before - maybe less."

Meanwhile, Benitez has rubbished suggestions that Daniel Agger is unhappy at Anfield after failing to agree terms on a new long-term contract.

He added: Agger is very happy here. I have spoken to him today about the things that have been said about his contract, and it was a very positive conversation.

"He is pleased and happy to stay here. He knows he has not been playing at the same level he achieved last season, but I am still pleased with him.

"He is not playing badly, but he knows he can do better. I have great confidence in him and he is a fantastic professional and he wants to stay with us."