Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez again refuted claims that star striker Fernando Torres will need an operation on his hernia problem. There had been reports from Spain that national team officials want the striker to have surgery now to avoid him breaking down again and missing the World Cup.
"An operation is not in our minds," Benitez insisted. "I was surprised to hear such suggestions from Spain because we have a good working relationship with their medical team.
"We will continue to manage Torres' problem and assess him on a game-to-game basis."
