Fernando Torres starts race to be fit for Inter Milan clash

Feb 8 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

FERNANDO TORRES faces a race against time to be fit for Liverpool’s Champions League tie with Inter Milan after being sidelined for at least 10 days with a hamstring problem.

And an unhappy Rafael Benitez has reiterated his displeasure at top players being asked to play meaningless friendlies at a pivotal point in the season.

Torres limped off complaining after just 23 minutes of Spain’s 1-0 friendly victory against France on Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old returned to Merseyside yesterday and underwent a scan to determine the extent of the damage.

It revealed a tear of the hamstring, instantly ruling Torres out of Sunday’s crucial Premier League trip to Chelsea on Sunday and the home FA Cup fifth round clash against Barnsley the following Saturday.

Now Torres is touch and go for the visit of Italian champions Inter in the Champions League first knockout stage on February 19.

And Benitez said: “When you can’t continue playing in a game as on Wednesday, it’s a big risk to play in the next one.

“We know it is a hamstring problem. I have spoken to Fernando, I know what the problem is. This injury is at least one week.

“We have the FA Cup, the Champions League and the league to play for right now, so we can’t take a big risk with Torres. We must be really careful. If we lose him for a month it will be worse than for one week.”

Andriy Voronin’s ankle injury leaves Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt as the only senior strikers available to Benitez at Stamford Bridge.

And with Fabio Aurelio, Alvaro Arbeloa and Daniel Agger also out and Xabi Alonso suspended, Benitez’s options have been severely compromised.

It’s the second time Torres has returned from international duty with an injury, having suffered an abductor muscle problem while training with Spain in October that ruled him out for a month.

“The international break hasn’t done us any good,” he said. “Playing friendly games in this period is something people must analyse. It’s not fair on the clubs.

“I don’t just mean Liverpool, I mean everyone, especially the top teams.

“We’ve lost Torres now. Maybe it would be better to play the fixtures before a major tournament and have two or three weeks beforehand to play them.”

Benitez’s frustration has been increased by the decision of Argentina to select Javier Mascherano for their 5-0 friendly romp against Guatemala in Los Angeles yesterday. The midfielder was one of just three senior players in the starting line-up as Argentina continued their preparations for the Olympics.

Mascherano, who will miss the start of next season if called up for the Olympics, will only land in Manchester today before heading for Melwood.

“Javier will come back to Manchester and will arrive here on Friday,” said Benitez. “Why do they have to play in Los Angeles? Just money.

“We were checking the rules to see if we cold prevent him from going, but we couldn’t do anything. It’s an extra frustration.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool defeated Everton 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the Liverpool Senior Cup at Finch Farm yesterday. A 40th minute strike from Gerard Bruna proved enough as both clubs fielded youthful sides.