Benitez bemoans Torres injury

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will miss three crucial matches after a scan on his right hamstring confirmed he will be out for "between ten and 15 days".

Torres was already expected to miss the Premier League match against Wigan on the weekend, but will now also miss next week's trip to face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and the crunch fixture at Chelsea.

The scan detected a tear in his right hamstring sustained in Spain's World Cup qualifier in Belgium on Thursday.

Liverpool also revealed Dutch attacker Ryan Babel is "a major doubt" for the Wigan match after spraining his left ankle on international duty.

Reds' manager Rafael Benitez said: "I am very disappointed about this, because it now looks like we will lose Fernando for three very important games.

Benitez has warned his side they will face a tough test against Wigan, who arrive with England striker Emile Heskey returning to his old stomping ground.

He added: "We know the Premier League is very difficult and all the teams have something, and can be strong in the air and play with determination.

"When they come to Anfield you know it will be really difficult so we have to be alert and be careful next time.

"But the team has more confidence now and I think we can approach the games thinking about just to finish it as soon as possible."

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