Torres may have to wait for Liverpool debut

FERNANDO TORRES may have to wait for his Liverpool debut as Rafa Benitez eases his record signing into senior action.

Torres is pencilled in for his first appearance in a red shirt against Werder Bremen tonight, but Benitez says if the striker plays, it is only likely to be as a late sub in Switzerland.

Torres has recently recovered from an ankle injury, and having started training later than most of his team-mates, Benitez sees little point in taking risks.

“Fernando won’t start this game,” explained Benitez.

“If he does play, it will only be for a little time. Maybe we will wait for the second game because there is no hurry.

“What’s most important this week is our training and preparation.”

Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun are also expected to feature later in the week.
Meanwhile, Benitez has handed Javier Mascherano an extra week off following the Copa America, and has revealed the Argentinian won’t join the Reds’ Far East tour.

“Mascherano will have ten days off, but when he returns he will stay at Melwood with the reserves,” said Benitez.

“There would be too much travelling for him to come with us to Hong Kong. We don’t want to kill the player before the start of the season. It was a pity for Mascherano Argentina didn’t win in the Copa America.”

Benitez will use most of his squad again, with as many as 22 players possibly featuring in the Stadium Bruehl in Grenchen. (Liverpool Echo)