Initial concerns regarding the fitness of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be assuaged by the news that the 24-year-old is not undergoing treatment today after his substitution in Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final.
There was notable anxiety at Stamford Bridge among Liverpool coaching staff and fans alike on Wednesday night when Torres, who had scored in the 65th minute to put Liverpool back on equal terms with Chelsea, was replaced by Ryan Babel with 20 minutes of extra time still to play.
Rafael Benitez said afterwards that he was forced to substitute his front-man because the Spaniard had felt a strain in his hamstring. "Torres was injured and had problems with his hamstring so I needed to change it in extra-time," he explained.
However, after enquiries today, it seems that while initial worries may well have been well-founded, Torres is spending his rest day as normal, and apparently having no urgent medical treatment.
The red Merseyside contingent will be thankful that Torres has suffered no lasting damage. Admittedly, the final games of the season are of no major consequence for Liverpool - they are eight points clear of fifth placed Everton, and seven adrift of Arsenal with two fixtures remaining - yet they will want Torres to be fit to finish what has been a remarkable debut season.
Liverpool play Manchester City at home on Sunday followed by a trip to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane for their last game of the season next week. If Torres is unable to play, Liverpool will no doubt call again on Babel, who scored a consolation goal from 30 yards against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
There was notable anxiety at Stamford Bridge among Liverpool coaching staff and fans alike on Wednesday night when Torres, who had scored in the 65th minute to put Liverpool back on equal terms with Chelsea, was replaced by Ryan Babel with 20 minutes of extra time still to play.
Rafael Benitez said afterwards that he was forced to substitute his front-man because the Spaniard had felt a strain in his hamstring. "Torres was injured and had problems with his hamstring so I needed to change it in extra-time," he explained.
However, after enquiries today, it seems that while initial worries may well have been well-founded, Torres is spending his rest day as normal, and apparently having no urgent medical treatment.
The red Merseyside contingent will be thankful that Torres has suffered no lasting damage. Admittedly, the final games of the season are of no major consequence for Liverpool - they are eight points clear of fifth placed Everton, and seven adrift of Arsenal with two fixtures remaining - yet they will want Torres to be fit to finish what has been a remarkable debut season.
Liverpool play Manchester City at home on Sunday followed by a trip to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane for their last game of the season next week. If Torres is unable to play, Liverpool will no doubt call again on Babel, who scored a consolation goal from 30 yards against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
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