Benitez planning without Torres

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has all but ruled out Fernando Torres for Sunday's league trip to Chelsea, despite the player stating he could play.

The 23-year-old lasted just 23 minutes of Spain's 1-0 friendly victory over France last night, asking to be substituted after suffering a hamstring problem.

Benitez said on the club's official website, www.liverpoolfc.tv: "The news we have on Torres is that it is a hamstring injury. I need to talk to the doctor but I think he will miss this game. Normally it is a week when a player goes off like this.

Torres revealed he had requested to be substituted last night and he had been confident of being fit for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

"I preferred not to risk it. I demanded the change," he said. "I will have medical tests but I intend to play on Sunday against Chelsea."

The loss of the club's top scorer would be a major blow for Benitez, who is already without Daniel Agger, Andriy Voronin, Alvaro Arbeloa, Fabio Aurelio and the suspended Xabi Alonso.

On top of this, Javier Mascherano will not arrive back at Melwood until tomorrow, with Argentina playing a friendly against Guatemala later today.

Benitez said: "We have lost Torres and Mascherano is not back until tomorrow.

"I don't think it (the international friendly situation) is fair. I think Mascherano will be okay for Sunday but we will have to see."

Torres has 12 league goals so far this season and the Merseysiders can-ill afford to travel to Chelsea without him, having picked up just one league win since St. Stephens's Day.