By Football Talk.
Liverpool’s new head of sports medicine and sports science, Peter Brukner, has given an update on injured striker Fernando Torres and the prognosis isn’t good news for Spain as the Liverpool hitman is facing a race against time to be fit for Spain’s first game of the World Cup in South Africa.
With Torres recovering from a second knee operation in three months, Brukner claimed the key to his rehabilitation is finding the right balance between rehabilitation and rest. Spain open their World Cup campaign against Switzerland on 16th June and Spain are keen for Torres to be rushed back to ensure he makes that date, but Liverpool want to be more cautious to protect their star from causing further damage and are more concerned that he will be ready for the start of next season.
“He’s doing well and he’s certainly tremendously committed to his rehab, as are the staff here, and if anyone can recover from an injury, he can,” said Brukner.
“You can’t be absolutely certain of anything but at this stage, if he continues to progress the way he is, he should be fit to play at some stage during the World Cup.
“Whether he’ll be fit for the first game or not is uncertain.”
“We’re anxious not to hurry him along too much because we want the long-term benefit, but we’re aware he’s got the short-term goal of playing in the World Cup.
“Hopefully we can get a compromise between those two where he plays in the World Cup and he’s fit and well for Liverpool next season.”
Both Liverpool and Spain fans will be keeping a close eye on Torres’ rehabilitation, but for very different reasons. Although I’m sure most Liverpool supporters would want to see a fit Torres take part in the World Cup, they would not want that to result in further injury which would rule him out of club action.
