LIVERPOOL'S CHAMPIONS League clash against Atletico Madrid next week will be played at the Vicente Calderon stadium after all, but there will be no return for Atletico's favourite son, Fernando Torres.
Liverpool's leading goalscorer was substituted with a hamstring injury 16 minutes into Spain's 2-1 win over Belgium in Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier in Brussels.
A scan yesterday confirmed confirmed Liverpool's worst fears and the torn muscle is expected to rule Torres out for "between 10 and 15 days". This would see him miss the Premier League games against Wigan and Chelsea, plus the Champions League visit to his former club on October 22nd.
The mood of Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, was further darkened by Ryan Babel's injury in the Netherlands' qualifier against Norway. The winger sprained his left ankle in a heavy tackle by Morten Gamst Pedersen, of Blackburn. He has yet to be examined by club doctors but is already rated "doubtful" for tomorrow's match against Wigan at Anfield.
Liverpool lost Torres for a spell last season after an injury on international duty, and Benitez wants to see players involved in fewer games for their country.
"There are too many international games, and the demands on the players are too much. Someone needs to analyse this, because it is putting the players at risk," he said.
Atletico were this week ordered by Uefa to play their next two matches in the competition at a neutral venue at least 300km away from the capital after trouble during their match against Marseille on October 1st. The decision brought protests from Liverpool over the short notice of the switch, as many fans had already made travel arrangements.
Uefa yesterday suspended the sanction - stressing it had not been overturned - pending Atletico's appeal on October 31st.
The punishment was issued after monkey chants were aimed at Marseille players and the French side's bus was attacked following the match at the Calderon. There were also outbreaks of violence as police clashed with visiting supporters. In addition to the two-game stadium ban, a third match was suspended while Atletico were fined €150,000.
Earlier this year, Bolton Wanderers lodged an official complaint to Uefa after "overzealous and disproportionate" action by police against supporters during a Uefa Cup tie at the same stadium.
Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry expressed his satisfaction that Uefa had listened to the club's concerns. He told the club's website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "We're delighted because it means our fans can travel as planned without additional expense or inconvenience. Liverpool are pleased Uefa have acted on the arguments we put forward this week."
Guardian Service
