Torres to play on

Fernando Torres returned to Liverpool's Melwood training complex on Friday after a whistle-stop trip to Valencia for a second opinion on his groin injury.

The striker visited a Liverpool hospital on Thursday for further tests after flying back to Merseyside with the rest of the squad following the 1-1 Champions League draw with Lyon. Torres then visited a Spanish specialist who has worked with him before and is also favoured by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez from his time at Valencia.

It is now expected the 25-year-old will do light training over the weekend and is still in contention to play against Birmingham on Monday.

Torres is believed not to want an operation on the problem, which is not a full hernia but a deeper groin injury affecting his adductor muscle.

He is also thought to want to play for Spain against Argentina next Saturday at his former home ground, the Vicente Calderon stadium of Atletico Madrid.

Exactly how Liverpool will feel about that is unclear but only a serious breakdown in Torres' fitness will make it possible for them to stop him travelling to join the Spain squad.

Steven Gerrard, who also has a groin problem, has also done light training this week and is not ruled out of the Birmingham game yet.