Liverpool are hopeful Torres will be fit for Merseyside derby
Published:Liverpool suffered two major setbacks on Tuesday night when Daniel Agger and Dirk Kuyt both picked up injuries while on international duty.
Dirk Kuyt was taken off after just 29 minutes in Holland’s 4-1 win over Sweden as a result of falling awkwardly after jumping for a header.
He was taken straight to hospital and early reports are that he could have torn his ankle ligaments.
When asked about Kuyt’s injury, Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk admitted “It doesn’t look good.”
Agger’s injury is thought to be less serious, but he is almost certain to miss the derby game with Everton at the weekend which Liverpool are 2/1 to win.
The Danish central defender was substituted after 39 minutes of his country’s 2-0 win over Cyprus with a recurrence of a groin injury.
Much better news for Liverpool is the announcement that Fernando Torres is likely to be fit to face the Toffees.
The Spaniard, who sat out Spain’s wins over Lithuania and Scotland, has been recovering from an abductor muscle tear.
Liverpool’s head of sports science and sports medicine Peter Brukner says Torres is making good progress.
“He’ll join in the full training session on Thursday, then build up Friday and Saturday,” said Brukner.
“If he gets through these sessions and he is able to stretch out fully and has no after effect from the sessions then he will be able to play.”
Paul Konchesky is also available after the left back recovered from his hamstring injury.
Torres or no Torres, Liverpool will be desperate to beat their nearest rivals and push on towards a place in the top four – they are 5/1 to finish in the top four.
But Everton are 7/5 to add more misery to Liverpool’s terrible start to the season.
Liverpool are 3/1 to score first and last against Everton. Follow the full Barclays Premier League football betting odds market here.
