Champions League

Fernando Torres Played Through Pain Against Olympique Lyonnais - Liverpool Boss Rafael Benitez

Striker still troubled by persisting injury...

Nov 5, 2009 5:57:40 AM

Fernando Torres forgets the way to goal as Liverpool are held by Fulham (PA)

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Fernando Torres forgets the way to goal as Liverpool are held by Fulham (PA)

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Liverpool

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Fernando Torres

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that striker Fernando Torres played through a lot of pain during the Champions League game against Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday.

The match at the Stade Gerland ended all square at one apiece, and the Spaniard struggled to get into the game owing to a persisting groin injury that may require surgery to correct.

"Torres was playing with pain, and that is not easy," Benitez is quoted on FIFA.com as saying.

"He was inconsistent, he had to keep stopping and starting again because of the problem."

The former Valencia boss had a kind word for his charges, asking them to play to their potential despite the fact that their fate with regards to progression from Group E may be decided during the game between Lyon and Fiorentina.

If the Viola register a three-pointer in either one of their next two Champions League games - one of which is against the Merseysiders - they will go through to the knockout stage, and the Reds will likely be flushed into the Europa League.

"The players must not give up hope, Lyon can win away to Fiorentina," he said.

"We need to win against Debrecen and not talk too much about the other game.

"We must do our job properly first, then we will look at the other result. We will see what happens and hope to take it to the last game when we are at home to Fiorentina."

Adithya Ananth, Goal.com UK