Torres Out For "Some Games"

Liverpool have confirmed that Fernando Torres will miss "some games" after sustaining an injury to his ankle. Torres sustained the injury in the first half of last nights game with Real Madrid, but on doctors advise Benitez left the striker on the field and started him for the second half. Torres hobbled off on 61 minutes.

Torres will miss the Middlesbrough game this weekend, and it is unclear at this point when he will return.

Liverpool are light now in the striking department having sold Robbie Keane in January. Ryan Babel was brought on to cover last night, and Rafa also has David N'Gog, Dirk Kuyt and Nabil El Zhar who can play up front, though I suspect this will not fill Liverpool fans with confidence, though it might Middlesbroughs defenders.

Jose - The Special One

There has, for at least ten years now (probably longer) been something of a gravitational pull towards the Premier League of the very best and most special talents. There has been the odd exception that has bypassed England and found glory in Spain and/or Italy, possibly because of climate or culture; but we have been telling ourselves for sometime that overall we have the best league in the world. I feel the same, I think the Premier League is the best, and probably most supported league in the world.

As time goes on, it feels more and more likely that the very top players will at some point play in our league. Where as Zidane did not, Ronaldo has and Kaka quite possibly will at some point. Some players have been billed as world beaters, but faced with a Premier League Season been revealed as anything but.

Part of the progression has been that we have attracted superstars with the prospects of cash and trophys. When these superstars were eventually bettered, or perhaps passed their peak the Premiership' elite clubs have managed to largely replace and often supersede their outgoing talents. But the progression has always been forwards. When players like Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelroy left these shores, it could be spun that the leagues top billing had gone, but instead we have the seen Ronaldo turn into a goal scoring machine, we have Rooney who plays with his heart on his sleeve, we have the predatorial Fernando Torres, and the lethal Didier Drogba, to name but a few.

Superstar's may have left but the talent pool has continued to get better and better.

There is though, one small exception to this. When Jose Mourinho left Chelsea, and English Football, he took a little piece of English Football with him. The league lost one of the best and brightest managers in the World. He is, in fact one of only four managers to have won the Premier League. The Premier Leagues loss has been Serie A's gain. I want to see young English managers get a chance in the league, but I want them pitted against the best the world has to offer, and Jose is one of the best.

I hope that Jose does well with Inter Milan in Italy (though I hope Manchester United get past Inter Milan in the Champions League) but I hope also that come the end of the Season he is able to find employment back in the Premier League.

Here, because I know you have missed him too, is a little reminder.