Torres KO blow for Liverpool



LIVERPOOL striker Fernando Torres lasted just 16 minutes as SPAIN won 2-1 in BELGIUM.

El Nino suffered a micro-tear to his left hamstring in the Group Five clash and will now miss Wigan’s visit to Anfield on Saturday.

Spain team doctor Oscar Celada said: “He has intense pain at the back of his thigh.”

Wesley Sonck put the hosts ahead on seven minutes but Andres Iniesta and David Villa replied.

Torres' Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel limped off during HOLLAND’S 1-0 Group Nine win over NORWAY in Oslo.

Bayern Munich skipper Mark van Bommel netted the winner for the Dutch.

Roma's Alberto Aquilani hit both goals in Lecce as ITALY won 2-1 against MONTENEGRO to stay top of Group Eight.

Reds tie 'will be in Madrid'

LIVERPOOL'S controversial Champions League match could still be played in Madrid.

UEFA yesterday slapped a two-match stadium ban on opponents Atletico Madrid for their fans' racist chanting.

They insisted next Wednesday's tie should be take place at least 200 miles away from the Spanish capital.

That threw Liverpool fans' travel plans into chaos and Kop chief executive Rick Parry has hit out at the timing of the ruling.

But Atletico plan to appeal to the punishment and president Enrique Cerezo is confident of overturning the verdict.

Cerezo said: "The Atleti-Liverpool game will be played at the Vicente Calderon.

"We will appeal. I have faith that UEFA will do the right thing.

Atletico's arch-rivals Real Madrid have thrown their support behind their neighbours.

Real president Ramon Calderon said: "It seems unfair to me.

"The police did not report to Atletico Madrid.

"Those that caused the problems were the Marseille fans."

Minister for sport Gerry Sutcliffe wants UEFA to use the Atletico fine to help Liverpool fans re-arrange their travel plans when a venue is finally decided.

He said: "It is great to see UEFA taking a tough stance on racism, as this is the only way we are going to kick it out of the game.

"But moving the match at this late stage will play havoc with Liverpool fans' travel plans and leave them out of pocket.

"I would like to see UEFA use the fine to help Liverpool supporters get to the match."

Liverpool rage at UEFA decision

LIVERPOOL fans are fuming after UEFA left them with travel chaos and a huge dent in their wallets.

Atletico Madrid must play their next two Champions League home games at least 200 miles from Spain’s capital, starting with next Wednesday’s Reds tie.

Kop chief executive Rick Parry said: “It is very short notice. No consideration has been given to the fans, all of whom have already made their travel arrangements and many of them are going independently.”

Atletico have been punished after being found guilty of racism towards Marseille fans and players in their 2-1 win over the French a fortnight ago.

And Atletico’s appeal against the decision will not be heard until Sunday — little more than 24 hours before many Kop fans are due to travel to Spain.

The club have sold 2,500 tickets with around double that expected to travel.

Parry added: “It will cause major disruption, inconvenience and large additional expense for our fans.

“UEFA have to take their needs into account when making a final decision on the game.

“We have written to UEFA expressing our dismay. This decision has come completely out of the blue.

“I just don’t know how it will be resolved at the moment.”

Atletico have taken their case to the Spanish government and are using their FA’s lawyers to fight to stage the game at their Vicente Calderon Stadium with Valencia seen as a possible alternative venue.

But Liverpool have blasted the fact the decision has been left so late in the day and could ask UEFA to defer the punishment.

The Anfield giants only heard of the news late on Monday night.

A spokesman for fans’ group Spirit of Shankly said: “This is outrageous — this game was played two weeks ago and UEFA have waited until now to make a decision.

“It’s crazy to do this now when everyone’s travel plans have been booked.”

Atletico have also been fined £120,000 — UEFA’s heaviest-ever punishment for racism.

Black players were subjected to monkey chants throughout the game.

Coach Javier Aguirre received a two-game ban for insulting Marseille star Mathieu Valbuena.

Torres upset at Madrid move



LIVERPOOL striker Fernando Torres is heartbroken after the clash with Atletico Madrid was moved.

UEFA has ordered the Champions League match to be played 300km from the Spanish capital after crowd trouble in Atletico's win against Marseille.

And that means Torres will miss out on the chance to return to the Vincent Calderon — the stadium where he made his name.

The Reds ace said: "After so much time waiting, it is the worst and most unexpected news that I could have heard this morning.

“I’m eager to go back. I don’t know if it is definitive, I hope that a solution can be found.

“It is a shame that these incidents have forced the stadium to be closed but if this is what happens then we have to accept it.”

Xabi: I'm still up for Juventus

XABI ALONSO could still join Juventus — as the Italians continue to be linked with Rafa Benitez.

The struggling Serie A outfit, who are 11th after a nightmare start, tried to land Alonso in the summer before opting for Christian Poulsen.
Juve boss Claudio Ranieri claimed he changed his mind after deciding the Liverpool midfielder was too slow.

Yet now Alonso has admitted he would still be interested.

He said: “The attraction to Juventus has remained intact. I appreciated the honesty of the club.
"They told me their tactics on the pitch were different and that is why they chose Poulsen.

“Juventus are the most prestigious club in Italy but you cannot be disappointed when you play for Liverpool.”

While Ranieri claims Alonso does not feature in his plans, there is a growing feeling he does not feature in Juve’s.

The ex-Chelsea chief has just one year left on his contract and Kop boss Benitez is attracting admiring glances from Italy.

Valencia are also considering an Alonso bid. Director Fernando Gomez said: “Alonso would be very valuable to any club.”

Stephane Henchoz, 34, has announced his retirement. The ex-Liverpool defender has been clubless since his Blackburn contract expired in June.

Carragher fires title warning

CALM... Jamie Carragher

JAMIE CARRAGHER has warned his Liverpool team-mates not to get carried away with their superb start to the season.

The Reds are level with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League after remaining unbeaten in their opening seven matches.

But Carragher insists it is too early to start talking about winning their first title in 18 years.

The centre-back said: “People should stop saying we’ve made a great start.
"I’m thinking 'we’ve only played seven games and we’re Liverpool. Shouldn’t we be up there? Am I missing something?’

"We’re not Hull.

“If we’re still up there in March we can talk about it, until then we'll focus on doing our best in every game.

"Actions speak louder than words.”

Top 10 Premier League foreign strikersSPANISH SENSATION ... Fernando Torres has been a revelation at Liverpool

FERNANDO TORRES has started where he left off last season by banging in the goals for Liverpool.

The Spanish hitman has already grabbed five in the league as the Reds threaten to finally mount a serious title challenge.

At this rate, Torres is well on his way to becoming a legend in England.

And in a nod to his exploits, we have selected the greatest foreign strikers to ever grace the Premier League.

Despite his goalscoring heroics of last season, there is no place for Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo because he is not primarily deployed as a striker.

And heroes such as Paolo Di Canio, Dwight Yorke and Fabrizio Ravanelli miss out because of the strength of competition.

Sit back and enjoy our pick.

No10: Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink

The mad stare of Hasselbaink was first spotted on these shores when Leeds signed him in 1997. The little-known striker went on to become one of the Premier League’s hotshots with two dazzling seasons at Elland Road. And after a year in Spain, the powerful Dutchman returned to wreak havoc with Chelsea.

No9: Didier Drogba

The Chelsea striker may not be the most popular star to ever grace the Premier League but there is no denying his continued threat up front. Drogba is one of the most physically imposing forwards to play in England and his goals have been instrumental in the Blues’ recent trophy hauls.

No8: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

The baby-faced assassin will always hold a special place in the hearts of Manchester United fans. The Norwegian earned a reputation as a super-sub and his scoring record during his time in England was superb. A knee injury sadly forced the star into early retirement last season.

No7: Jurgen Klinsmann

Tottenham pulled off a masterstroke by bagging the German hitman 14 years ago. Klinsmann averaged a goal every other game in the league that season after striking up a brilliant partnership with Teddy Sheringham. The star rejoined three years later for a briefer, yet equally prolific, spell.

No6: Fernando Torres

Time will tell just how high Torres climbs. The Spanish sensation has excelled since signing for Liverpool from Atletico Madrid last summer. El Nino has hit 29 goals in 35 league starts to date and there will undoubtedly be many more to come. But for how long can the Reds keep him at Anfield?

No5: Gianfranco Zola

In his seven seasons at Chelsea, the Italian did enough to be crowned the greatest ever player to wear their blue shirt. Zola was a breath of fresh air and, as well as being a regular scorer, he inspired those team-mates who could never match his talent. Now attempting his magic as West Ham boss.

No4: Dennis Bergkamp

Arsenal have enjoyed a string of overseas hitmen and many argue that Dutchman Dennis is the best of the lot. Bergkamp arrived in North London 13 years ago and lit up the Premier League with his dazzling trickery. An ice-cool customer (usually) who was always one step ahead of the game.

No3: Ruud van Nistelrooy

After overcoming a serious knee injury that threatened to scupper his move to Manchester United, the Dutchman went on to become a hero at Old Trafford. Van Nistelrooy averaged two goals every three games for the Red Devils and he is still firing with Real Madrid.

No2: Eric Cantona

Whether you think Cantona is lazy, arrogant, violent or all three, few can argue against his supreme talent. The French forward is one of Alex Ferguson's greatest ever signings and helped launch their trophy-filled years in the 90s. Despite retiring at just 30, he remains a legend at United.

No1: Thierry Henry

Henry wins in a photo finish. The Frenchman initially struggled at Arsenal in 1999 but on his departure eight years later, he had carved his place in history. Henry is the highest overseas scorer in Premier League history and was the driving force behind the Gunners’ 21st century success.