London, Jan 6 : Ace striker Fernando Torres is training up to five hours a day extra at Liverpool’s Melwood training HQ after his team-mates have headed for home in order to last the season.

Striker Torres has been plagued by groin injuries over the last two campaigns and earlier this term Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez feared that he would need a hernia operation.

There are still doubts about his ability to last the course, especially with a World Cup in the summer, meaning he will once again miss out on having a full close-season break.

“I am much better than a couple of months ago but I need to keep working three, four or five hours more than the rest as I need to keep recovering. It’s a difficult time but it’s worth it if I want to play,” The Sun quoted Torres, as saying.

“I do the normal training session with my team-mates but before and after I have treatment, exercises and gym work to make my leg strong. But I’m feeling nothing bad in my leg. I have been able to play 90 minutes in the last four games so I’m really happy with the progression. Maybe I’ll have to do this all season,” he said.

“One of the reasons I’m working really hard is because I know in this situation Liverpool need every player fit,” Torres added.

Torres, who has hit 12 goals this season, arrived on Merseyside from Atletico Madrid two-and-half-years ago having not suffered a serious injury in his career. (ANI)