Atletico Madrid v Liverpool:FERNANDO TORRES has declined an invitation to make an emotional return to Atletico Madrid in favour of enhancing his slim prospects of leading the Liverpool attack at Chelsea on Sunday.

The Liverpool forward will miss tomorrow night's Champions League tie against his former club with a hamstring tear but had been offered the full VIP treatment at the Vicente Calderon Stadium by the Atletico president, Enrique Cerezo, as recompense.

Torres is still revered at his boyhood club two seasons after moving to Anfield and was distraught when injury while on international duty last week ruined his much-anticipated homecoming.

However, despite having only an outside chance of being fit for Sunday's visit to Stamford Bridge, the 24-year-old will continue his rehabilitation programme on Merseyside rather than return to the club where he made 214 appearances over six years.

Torres was ruled out for "10 to 15 days" and has not given up on being involved against Chelsea. Liverpool's home game with Portsmouth next Wednesday remains a more realistic comeback date.

"We talked with the doctor and physios, and with the player himself, and we decided it was important for him to stay here and continue with his recovery," confirmed manager Rafael Benitez, who will have Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel available tomorrow after they missed Saturday's victory over Wigan because of travel fatigue and an ankle injury respectively.

Guardian Service