After a day of speculation on the extent of the injury to Fernando Torres, Liverpool have confirmed that the striker will be absent for 10-15 days, making him likely to miss four games.

Today’s scan results revealed a tear in his right hamstring and, as expected, Torres will now miss games against Wigan this weekend and the midweek Champions League tie with Atletico. However, Rafa will be particular bitter that Torres is also set to miss additional games at Chelsea and at home to Portsmouth.

Liverpool also revealed that Ryan Babel has sprained his left ankle and although details on his absence are sketchy, it is believed that he will return before Torres, with an outside chance that he will make the Wigan game…

Rafa now has few options in the absence of Torres and maybe Babel against Wigan. A Keane and Kuyt partnership in a 4-4-2 would appear to be the obvious option, although Gerrard could also be pushed up just off Keane as an alternative, with Alonso restored to central midfield.