Liverpool play down Torres injury

Liverpool are hopeful that the groin injury suffered by Spanish striker Fernando Torres in Sunday’s World Cup final is not as serious as was first feared.

The 26-year-old, who missed the end of the 2009-10 season with a knee injury, suffered the injury just before the end of the 1-0 win over the Netherlands.

But Liverpool doctor Peter Brukner told the club’s website: “We’ve been in touch with the Spanish medical team and they don’t think it’s too serious.

“We can’t say too much more at the moment until it is properly assessed (on Tuesday.”

He added: “Some of the Liverpool medical staff will go to Madrid later in the week to fully assess the injury and organise his rehab. At this stage we don’t think it’s too serious.

Torres has endured an injury-plagued season at Anfield although he finished as Liverpool’s top scorer with 22 goals in all competitions.

He suffered a groin injury late last year and underwent surgery on his right knee in January.

The striker returned to help Spain win the World Cup for the first time, but he did not score in the tournament and came on as a substitute in extra-time in the final.