No surgery for Torres-Benitez

Fernando Torres will be sidelined for the next couple of weeks. The Liverpool striker has been struggling with a groin injury and will now have an intensive treatment for the next three weeks, according to Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez who calmed the fears of a surgery.

Despite his groin problem Fernando Torres had to play against Fulham (3-1 loss) and Olympique Lyon (1-1) leading to criticism of Benitez. After the match against Birmingham, a game Torres sat out, the Spanish manager explained to the BBC why they won’t consider an operation.

“Torres had no confidence and said he couldn’t play, so we started the treatment yesterday. He has to work with the physios and try to improve and be ready. We are not talking about an operation at this moment, we’re talking about treating him properly.

Benitez couldn’t say when Torres will return to the squad.

“I don’t know if he will be ready for Man City (in two weeks). The only thing I can say is we’re talking about two or three weeks working with the physios.

“We haven’t got a deadline, we just need to see how he is every day.”