I’M not convinced that Fernando Torres will be out for six weeks.

From what I’ve heard it was a simple procedure to take out a bit of cartilage. He’s already started his rehab and he won’t have much muscle wastage.

Players have come back from operations like that within a fortnight.

I think Liverpool are just being extra cautious. If they said he could be back in three weeks there would be constant speculation about what game he could be back for.

By saying six weeks then Torres is left alone to get on with his rehab.

The fact that Torres needed more surgery was a major blow to Liverpool’s hopes of ending the season with silverware. For a start their chances of getting an away goal tonight are significantly reduced by not having him out there because he’s that good a player.

However, the fact he is having a breather towards the end of the season is great news for Spain. He should be flying for the World Cup.

The allocation of 12,000 Liverpool have been told they will get by UEFA is absolutely pathetic.

The ground in Hamburg holds 52,000 so that means the two finalists are getting less than half of the total tickets between them.

It’s another ridiculous decision from UEFA.