Injured Torres out for Spain

Liverpool’s Fernando Torres is out of the Spain squad to face Lithuania and Scotland in next week’s Euro 2012 qualifiers and could also miss a crucial Merseyside derby after picking up an adductor strain in Sunday’s loss to Blackpool, his club said Monday.

The striker limped off after just nine minutes of the 2-1 defeat to Blackpool – a loss which left the side in the bottom three – and he has withdrawn from the Spanish squad, Liverpool said on their website.

“Fernando was assessed earlier today at Melwood and underwent a scan this afternoon,” said Dr Peter Brukner, Liverpool’s Head of Sports Medicine and Sports Science.

“He will have intensive treatment over the next couple of weeks but it is too early to say if he will be fit for the game against Everton.”

Everton have also struggled this season in the league but moved above their city rivals after winning for the first time this campaign at Birmingham at the weekend.