English Premiership
Torres out for the season
2010-04-18 21:44
London - Liverpool striker Fernando Torres requires surgery on his problem knee and will miss the rest of the season, a club spokesperson announced on Sunday.
The operation, due to take place in Spain later on Sunday, will rule the 26-year-old Spanish international out of action for around six weeks, not leaving him much time to be fit for the start of the World Cup on June 11.
He will miss not only the Premier League run-in but also the remainder of Liverpool's Europa League campaign, which continues this week with a semi-final against Torres' former club Atletico Madrid.
A Liverpool spokesperson told the club's official website: "Fernando saw a specialist in Spain earlier today (Sunday) and it was decided that he would need surgery on a torn cartilage in his right knee.
"This will be carried out later tonight (Sunday).
"We cannot comment ahead of the operation, but as a guide, the usual rehabilitation period for this type of procedure is around six weeks."
Torres missed Liverpool's draw with Fulham last weekend as a result of the problem.