Hamstring victim Fernando Torres won't play for Liverpool again this year.

The Daily Mail says Torres saw a specialist in Spain on Tuesday and learned he is likely to be out for longer than the two to three weeks originally expected after being injured against Marseille last Wednesday.

The £21million signing, who finished his first season at Anfield with 33 goals, has already missed eight matches for his club this season, including Monday's stalemate with West Ham.

Now manager Rafa Benitez has to accept losing his star striker for six more games - five in the League against Blackburn, Hull, Arsenal, Bolton and Newcastle, as well as the final Champions League group tie against PSV Eindhoven.

It is a hammer blow for Benitez as he tries to keep his side top of the table, especially as Liverpool have been held to frustrating goalless draws in their last two home League games.