Torres injury - ruled out for Chelsea

[Taffy]

I'm not totally convinced that Rafa has given up all hope of Torres playing a part on Sunday, but we'll see!

In my opinion, it is best to have him fully fit for the remainder of the season than risk him so soon after an injury (this backfired on us when he played against Arsenal didn't it), so if there is a doubt then I'd rest him on Sunday and make sure he's fit for the games after that.

Crouch deserves a start anyway, and in Babel we have someone who should be able to play the withdrawn striker role well if needed.

It would be great to see Torres start as this is a game we could really get something out of, if not end their unbeaten home record, but if there is a doubt I'd rest him. Shame we've been hit by these international friendlies again though!

[Assassin]

-------------Reina-------------
-----Carra---Skrtel----Sami
Pennant--Lucas--Masher--Yossi
------------Gerrard-------------
--------Crouch--Babel--------

[SNFT]

Mind games, i've got an Ayreton that Torres plays at Chelsea on Sunday.....

[nigecardiff]

he's out with a hamsring tear

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N158762080207-1903.htm

[Radar]

he's out with a hamsring tear

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...80207-1903.htm

All you can really do is laugh at how this season is turning out

God is a Manc supporter

[tomasjj]

They are gonna take it easy with him to make sure he is ready for Inter.

[Nic83]

LOL, I'm putting my savings on Chelsea then so.

[G]

Probably posted before but if not


Fernando Torres: I'm determined to face Chelsea

Feb 7 2008 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo
Fernando Torres

FERNANDO TORRES is determined to be fit in time for the Reds' trip to Chelsea on Sunday despite coming off in Spain's 1-0 friendly victory over France last night.

The 23-year-old came off in some discomfort after just 23 minutes but he insists it was his decision to be substituted, and although he was set to undergo a scan today at Melwood today for his e injury will be assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff he is keen to face Avram Grant’s side.

"I preferred not to risk it. I demanded the change," he said.

"I will have medical tests but I intend to play on Sunday."

Reds boss Rafa Benitez had already spoke of his frustration with the international fixture calendar before Torres limped out of the friendly clash.

Torres was taken off after 23 minutes of the game and is now a major doubt for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Chelsea at the weekend.

It was not immediately obvious when Torres sustained the problem, but Spain coach Luis Aragones replaced the frontman with Daniel Guiza when he began struggling.

He is due to arrive back at Melwood this afternoon when the injury will be assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff but with just three days to go before the Chelsea game it would be a major surprise if he recovered in time.Earlier this week, Reds boss Rafa Benitez told the ECHO of his disappointment with a round of international friendlies being held just days before such an important game and his worst fears were confirmed last night when his star striker became an injury victim.

"This is why I am so frustrated about international friendly matches being played at such an important time in the season," said Benitez. "We will have to wait and see how bad the problem is for Torres but he is a doubt for Sunday."

Benitez’s sense of frustration is heightened by the fact that this is the second time this season Torres has suffered a muscle injury while on international duty with Spain.

In October, Liverpool’s top scorer limped out of training with the national team after suffering an abductor muscle injury which resulted in him being ruled out of action for a month.

Benitez is likely to have just two fit strikers at his disposal for the trip to Chelsea with Andriy Voronin ruled out with an ankle injury. That leaves only Dirk Kuyt and Peter Crouch who were paired together in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Chelsea at Anfield last season.

He added: "We cannot change anything now so we will use the players who are fit and available."

Ryan Babel hobbled out of Holland’s 3-0 win over Croatia with a minor leg injury, although he is expected to be fit for Sunday. But the 21-year-old’s performance did not impress national team manager Marco van Basten who criticised Babel for wasting possession on a number of occasions.

He said: "He was not in a good shape. He easily lost the ball five times at the start of the game and that upset us.

"We decided we should give his some time, but we then had to replace him."

[MascheredUp]

Fernando Torres: I'm determined to face Chelsea

Rather he doesn't play against Chelsea.

It's time for the other lazy half arsed ****ers to stand up and be counted.

We definitely need him for Inter.