Absent Torres predicts tough night

Injured striker Fernando Torres is anticipating a tough evening for his Liverpool team-mates as they prepare to face his former club Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.

Torres may have to watch the match from afar after remaining in England to continue his recovery from a hamstring injury, but he is still one of the best-placed people to analyse the Champions League clash.

The 24-year-old spent 12 years at home-town club Atletico before joining Liverpool in a big-money move in 2007, and during his time in Spain he became the Rojiblancos’ youngest-ever captain while still a teenager.

Torres was a huge idol at the Vicente Calderon and he did not take long to win over the Liverpool fans either after netting 33 goals in his maiden campaign at Anfield.

Disappointingly for both Torres and the Liverpool and Atletico fans who were hoping to see him action later tonight, the prolific hitman was ruled out after suffering an injury while on international duty with Spain last week.

“To not be in the Calderon on Wednesday is a huge disappointment. It was very special for me to be able to play this game, but unfortunately it is not to be,” said Torres, who is expecting a hard-fought encounter between two clubs with 100% records in Group D.

“It will be difficult game. Atletico have started the Champions League phenomenally well and they will try to move closer to qualifying in front of their fans.

“For us it is the same. If we claim these three points we will take a very big step towards the last 16.”

He added: “As I have already said, my wish is that we both qualify and after the first few rounds of matches we are both on track. Now all that remains is to finish it off.”

Torres had received an invitation from Atletico to watch the match at the Vicente Calderon as their VIP guest, but the striker has stayed in England due to his injury.

“I want to thank Atletico Madrid for their invitation. I’m sorry for the fans, but after meeting with the coach, the medical staff and the physiotherapists we have decided that it was best for me to remain in Liverpool because I would have lost virtually two days of recuperation,” he said.

“At this phase we cannot afford ourselves this luxury.”

He added on his personal website, www.fernando9torres.com: “I’m improving. With this type if injury you need to be very patient.

“It is a shame because I have had another break in the same place as happened last August. But there is nothing else to do but work and complete the daily sessions that have been created for me by the Liverpool medical staff.”

Torres is not the only member of the Liverpool staff who has close connections with the Spanish capital, as Reds boss Rafael Benitez was born there.

Benitez’s past is more closely associated with Real Madrid, who he played for as a youngster and also coached their youth team, but his father was a firm follower of Atletico.

“My father was an Atletico fan, that is true,” Benitez said last night.

“When I was playing in the Real Madrid youth teams he was asking me why I supported Real when Atletico needs more.”

Benitez insists there is no mixed loyalties for him this week though, saying: “He would be proud because I want to win every game as Liverpool manager.

“My home town now is Liverpool but I come from Madrid so I am pleased to be here. I have a very good opinion of Atletico, their fans and everything.

“I will enjoy it and we will try to win. I’m only worried about my own supporters and want to win for them.”