Benitez stunned by latest Torres blow

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted on Friday that he was mystified by the latest hamstring problem to be suffered by star Spanish striker Fernando Torres.

Torres faces at least three weeks out after picking up the injury in the 1-0 Champions League win over Marseille at Anfield on Wednesday.

He has already missed five weeks of the campaign with a similar complaint.

“Clearly because he has been injured before it's a concern,” said Benitez.

“We are working with the medical staff trying to analyse the reason why and trying to prevent it happening again.

“He was sharp, so it was a surprise. It was the end of the game. We just need to do exercises and check the balance of the player.”

Benitez, whose side face West Ham in the Premier League on Monday, added that there are no guarantees as to when Torres will be back in the team.

“I was with him and the physios and he's already working. But it always depends on the player.

“It's a blow especially because we lost him before and we've been talking about the understanding between him and Robbie Keane, and him and Steven Gerrard.

“It's important not to put too much pressure on it and for him to keep working.”

Torres will definitely miss Monday's match and probably the fixtures against Blackburn, PSV Eindhoven and Hull.

The Reds have already coped without their star striker this season, recording victories over Manchester United and Chelsea in his absence.

Benitez is confident his squad can once again prove themselves.

“We have Keane and when we bought him it was with the idea that he can score goals. We also have Dirk Kuyt, David Ngog and Ryan Babel,” the manager told the club's website.

“Hopefully they can score enough goals and we can talk about Fernando in three weeks' time.

“We have shown enough quality and character without him and hopefully we can do it again.”