Fernando Torres in hernia op fear

Fernando Torres flew to Spain to consult a specialist surgeon yesterday, amid growing fears he will require a hernia operation.

The Liverpool striker sought a second opinion at a private clinic in Valencia from one of his country’s top consultants, after scans yesterday revealed the problem is not easing.

Torres was visited the Spire Private Hospital on Merseyside, where he underwent tests on the problem that has troubled him for the past month.

Medical staff at Anfield have been trying to manage the Spanish star’s hernia problem with an extensive programme of treatment and rest, and they hoped to steer him through the next few weeks without any further discomfort.

But Torres looked uncomfortable for much of his side's Champions League tie in Lyon on Wednesday night, and afterwards his manager Rafa Benitez revealed that the striker had been forced to keep stopping to ease the pain during the match.

That prompted the decision yesterday to re-evaluate the injury yesterday, and the swift conclusion to seek a second opinion before deciding if he will need surgery.

That decision is likely to be made today when the Liverpool medical team have had a chance to look closely at the scan images, and to talk with the consultants in England and Spain to determine the best practice.

If - as now seems more likely - Torres does go under the knife, then Benitez will be hoping that the disruption to his side will be minimal, given that there is an international break coming up.

Although each hernia problem is different depending on the size and extent of the tear in the abdominal muscle wall, if the damage is not too serious then it is not unusual for players to be back after just a couple of weeks of rehabilitation.

Alan Shearer managed to be back in full training just seven days after having similar surgery during his playing days, and Liverpool will hope that Torres can enjoy such a speedy recovery.

It may be that he even plays against Birmingham on Monday night before having an operation on Tuesday, which would then give him two weeks to recover before Liverpool’s next match, which is against Manchester City on November 21.

There is an international break in between those two fixtures and obviously the Spanish striker would miss his nation’s friendly fixture during that time, which would allow him the chance of a swift recuperation.

A decision has yet to be made on Steve Gerrard's groin injury, but has done light training this week and is "progressing" according to the club.