Torres sees Spanish specialist

Torres: Injury persisting

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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has been to Valencia to have a second opinion on his troublesome groin injury.

The Reds' top goalscorer returned to Melwood on Friday after undergoing secondary tests in Spain as speculation grows that the prolific marksman could require surgery for a hernia.

Torres, whose 10 goals this term sees him joint leader in the Premier League scoring charts, visited a Liverpool hospital on Thursday for further checks after flying back to Merseyside with the rest of the squad following the 1-1 draw with Lyon in the UEFA Champions League.

The former Atletico Madrid star then visited a Spanish specialist who has worked with him before and is also favoured by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez from his time as Los Che boss.

Boost

It is now expected the 25-year-old will do light training over the weekend and could still play against Birmingham on Monday night.

It is believed that Torres is keen to avoid surgery on the problem, which the Reds claim is not a full hernia but a deeper groin injury affecting his adductor muscle.

The Spain international is also thought to want to play for his country against Argentina next Saturday at his former home ground, Atletico's Vicente Calderon.

Exactly how Liverpool will feel about that is unclear but only a serious breakdown in Torres' fitness will make it possible for them to stop him travelling to join the Spain squad.

Steven Gerrard, who also has a groin problem, has also done light training this week and is not ruled out of the Birmingham game yet.