Javier Mascherano: We can get to the Europa League final then get Fernando Torres back
JAVIER MASCHERANO is confident Liverpool can reach the Europa League final without Fernando Torres – and believes the striker may yet play a part should the team reach Hamburg.
Rafael Benitez’s side play the first leg of their semi-final against Atletico Madrid this evening after yesterday completing a 24-hour journey to the Spanish capital.
Torres will miss out on an emotional return to his former club after undergoing another operation on his knee at the weekend.
The striker, who has also opted not to attend the game and continue his rehabilitation in Barcelona, has been ruled out for up to six weeks.
But Mascherano claims there remains hope his team-mate could be fit for the final on May 12 should Liverpool progress.
“Of course not having Fernando will affect us,” said the midfielder.
“He is very important for us. He was in very good form and he wanted to play here.
“But unfortunately he’s not here. So we’ll have to try and replace him and some of our players have already managed this in the league.
