Rafa to let Torres decide

Striker aiming to be fit to face former club in Champions League

Last updated: 3rd November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa to let Torres decide

Torres: Fighting to be fit

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Rafa Benitez has hinted that he will let Fernando Torres decide whether he is fit to return for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid.

Torres has missed Liverpool's last five games with a hamstring injury, but is closing on his comeback.

He trained on Monday and the Spaniard is also due to train on Tuesday in the hours leading up to the UEFA Champions League tie with Atletico.

Reds boss Benitez has rated Torres at '70 per cent' to feature against his old club and will make a late decision on his fitness.

Confidence

When asked whether he would take any risks with Torres' fitness, Benitez replied on Sky Sports News: "It depends at the end on the player.

"If the player is confident you can take a risk, but if the player has no confidence you have to wait.

"If he has confidence tomorrow he can be there. It's not a question of taking a risk and it's not a question of delaying a decision or waiting.

"If he's ready he has to play as soon as possible."

Torres picked up the injury while playing for Spain last month, but Benitez does not believe the forward will suffer from hamstring problems on a regular basis.

He added: "No, I don't think there will be a problem. He had the problem before.

"We know we have to change things when he's going away with the national team and we are in contact with the Spanish fitness coach.

"In the future it will be more under control, with the prevention and everything, so I don't think it will be a problem."