Benitez won't risk Torres

Last Modified: 01 Dec 2008
Source: ITN

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has said he will not risk bringing his injured star player Fernando Torres back until he is fit as the joint leaders look to open up a three point lead in the Barclay Premiership league with a result at West Ham.

Torres is recovering from a hamstring injury that the Spanish striker picked up in last Wednesday's Champions League victory over Marseilles with scans revealing a repetition of a hamstring injury that could rule him out for three weeks.

Benitez is looking to the vital pre-Christmas game against Arsenal for Torres' return but said there would be no pressure to bring him back, with the long term solution to his injury crucial to Liverpool's season's ambitions.

Benitez said: "We won't be taking any risks with Torres. If he's not available [By Christmas] we will have to wait."

The 24-year-old striker is said to be disappointed by the injury but Benitez says the Liverpool doctors and officials are doing everything they can to get him fit.

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