London - Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is set to be out for around 10 days with a hamstring strain, manager Rafael Benitez said on Thursday.

The Spaniard picked up the injury on international duty in midweek and is now set to miss games against Wigan Athletic, Atletico Madrid and Chelsea.

"I am very disappointed about this because it now looks like we will lose Fernando for three very important games," Benitez said.

"We have Wigan at home and Chelsea away in the league and Atletico Madrid away in the Champions League, so to lose any players is a big blow.

"The initial reports say Fernando is likely to be out for around 10 days and that would mean he would miss these games.

Benitez said the hectic international schedule was putting too many demands on the players.

"Someone needs to analyse this situation because it is putting the players at risk of injury," he said.

"Maybe the answer is for there to be a two-tier qualifying system because there are too many games in the qualifiers for the World Cup and the European Championships which are not competitive but which still place great demands on the players.

"These fixtures are unnecessary and maybe it would be better if the weaker countries played one another and the best of them went to play the stronger countries in the qualifiers."

Benitez could also be without winger Ryan Babel for a while after the Dutchman injured his ankle playing for Holland but is determined to maintain Liverpool's strong start to the season, which has seen them joint top of the Premier League table.

"It is important that we show our strength at times like this," Benitez said.

"We cannot do anything about the injuries so it is up to the players to come in and do a good job if they are needed." (dpa)