Torres potentially set to miss third straight Merseyside derby
Published:Roy Hodgson is facing up to the possibility of heading into the biggest match of his short tenure as Liverpool boss without star striker Fernando Torres.
The pressure is firmly on Hodgson as Liverpool sit in the relegation zone after seven Premier League games and they were defeated by Blackpool at Anfield in their latest outing.
Liverpool have failed to win a league game since August and this streak has seen them slip to 14/1 to be relegated in the Premier League betting odds, after being 350/1 to suffer this fate at one point during August.
Up next is the Merseyside derby away at Everton and Hodgson will know that anything less than three points will leave his job hanging in the balance.
Torres is a big doubt for the clash after walking off injured after ten minutes of the Blackpool defeat.
It has since been discovered that he strained a muscle in his groin, with his constant injury proneness being a massive hindrance in the past 18 months.
He missed a chunk of last season after undergoing knee surgery and this was one of the key reasons for Liverpool’s failure to secure Champions League football.
Meanwhile, he has looked a shadow of his former self in his appearances this season, as he attempted to regain full fitness after injuring his abductor muscle representing Spain in their World Cup final triumph over Holland.
Losing Torres will be a big miss for Liverpool as he scored both goals in Liverpool’s victory at Goodison Park in the Premier League two seasons ago.
However, the Spaniard missed both Merseyside derbies last season and Liverpool won on each occasion without conceding.
Liverpool’s dreadful start has also seen them lengthen to 200/1 to win the Premier League this season, making them sixth favourites. See the full Premier League winners betting odds market.
