SOCCER: Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is facing a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury. The Spanish international sustained the problem during the first half of last night's 1-0 Uefa Champions League victory away to Real Madrid.
The striker played on until the 61st minute of the first leg of the last 16 encounter, when he was replaced by Netherlands international Ryan Babel.
Reds boss Rafa Benitez expects his star forward to miss Saturday's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough and admits he could be a doubt for the home meeting with Sunderland the following Tuesday.
Liverpool have the chance to close the gap on league leaders Manchester United to just one point as the champions are not in action again until Wednesday when they travel to Newcastle.
But the Anfield outfit will have to cope without Torres, and Benitez is still unsure how long the striker faces on the sidelines.
The Liverpool boss said: "With Torres, we don't know. Probably, he will miss some games.
"We have one game in three days' time (at Middlesbrough) so it will be difficult for him to be ready."
