Torres could miss derby date with Everton

The Spanish striker sustained an adductor strain against Blackpool and is doubtful for the Merseyside derby on October 17.

Liverpool's Fernando Torres, left, leaves the field during their English Premier League match against Blackpool.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND // Liverpool striker Fernando Torres sustained an adductor strain at the weekend and could miss the derby match against Everton on October 17.

The striker came off after just nine minutes of Sunday's shock 2-1 defeat to Blackpool at Anfield, and a scan on yesterday confirmed the injury and ruled him out of Spain's European Championship qualifiers against Lithuania and Scotland.

Torres is now battling to be fit for the Merseyside derby, which has taken on added importance with Liverpool languishing in the Premier League's relegation zone on six points from seven matches.

"He will have intensive treatment over the next couple of weeks but it is too early to say if he will be fit for the game against Everton," said Peter Brukner, Liverpool's head of sports medicine and sports science.

Torres missed the start of the league with a similar injury, which he sustained after going on as a substitute in the World Cup final against Holland in July.

He has looked well short of full fitness this season, scoring just once for Liverpool — in the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion that remains the club's sole victory in the league.

The 18-time champions are third from bottom in the standings and have made their worst start to a top-flight season since the 1953-54 season.

* Associated Press