FA PREMIER LEAGUE: FERNANDO TORRES was diagnosed with a torn hamstring yesterday which will keep the Liverpool striker out for three weeks.
He pulled up during Sunday's goalless draw at Aston Villa and scans have revealed a slight tear of his right hamstring.
The 24-year-old, who was immediately withdrawn from Spain's World Cup qualifiers against Bosnia and Armenia, will now certainly miss Liverpool's league game at home to Manchester United on September 13th and the opening Champions League group game in Marseille three days later.
Although he could be available for subsequent league and League Cup games at home to Stoke City and Crewe respectively he is more likely to be kept back for the Merseyside derby at Everton on September 27th.
With Steven Gerrard also a doubt for United's visit to Anfield after groin surgery, Torres's absence is a serious setback for Rafael Benitez but the Liverpool manager at least secured a much-needed addition to his left flank yesterday with the capture of Albert Riera from Espanyol.
Riera, who had resisted Espanyol's attempts to sell him to Everton for €15 million, has cost Liverpool an initial €7 million after Steve Finnan moved in the opposite direction.
Liverpool had agreed a fee of almost €10 million for the 26-year-old Spaniard, who was at the head of Benitez's wish list after the failure to prise Gareth Barry from Villa, but a complex transfer ended with the Anfield club paying considerably less. It is understood the deal includes a sizable sell-on fee to Espanyol should Riera be sold during his four-year contract.
"Riera has the qualities we were looking for," the manager said of Liverpool's new No11. "He's a left-footer who normally plays on the left wing, he's good in the air, strong, powerful and a good crosser of the ball. He can talk English and of course he knows the Premier League [after a loan spell at Manchester City], which is a big bonus.
"Usually foreign players need time when they go to a new country but Riera already knows the league and the style of football."
Following Finnan out of Liverpool yesterday was Ukrainian forward Andriy Voronin, who has joined Hertha Berlin on a one-year loan. Liverpool also signed the 18-year-old striker Vitor Flora on a free transfer from the Brazilian club Botafogo and the Hungarian goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi, also 18, on a two-year contract.
Newcastle United last night appeared close to signing Spain under-21 striker Xisco from Deportivo La Coruna for €7 million.
Now aged 22, Xisco, full name Francisco Jiminez Tejada, spent the season before last on loan at a Spanish second division side but returned to Deportivo last year.
Earlier in the day Newcastle signed Ignacio Gonzalez, the Uruguay midfielder, on a season-long loan from Valencia.
• Guardian Service
