England

Rafael Benitez Hopes Liverpool Star Fernando Torres Won't Require Surgery On Hernia

Reds' boss confirms forward injury fear but hopes to avoid op...

Nov 3, 2009 6:41:34 PM

EPL: Fernando Torres, Liverpool - Manchester United (Getty Images)

Photo Gallery

Zoom

EPL: Fernando Torres, Liverpool - Manchester United (Getty Images)

Teams

Liverpool

Players

By Adrian Fisk

In his pre-match press conference in France ahead of the crunch clash with Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed speculation that striker Fernando Torres is suffering from a hernia but hopes he won't require surgery.

"We know Fernando has a [hernia] problem, and we have to manage it," the Reds boss said.

"The positive thing is that he is improving, and he is in less pain each time he plays and trains.

"Hopefully if we can continue doing well with him, he will not need an operation - that is our idea.

"Now it is a question of how he feels and what will happen if he plays.

"I talk to the players after every training session and every game. After [Manchester] United, he needed four days to be ready again. After Fulham, he told me he was much better but still feeling something.

"Yesterday he was better still and hopefully tomorrow he will be even better."

The Spanish international was controversially withdrawn after scoring in Liverpool’s 3-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage at the weekend.

Torres will clearly play through the pain barrier when, as expected, he starts against Lyon in the crucial Champions League fixture.