Fernando Torres fears Liverpool are in for a hard time when they take on his former club Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon tonight.

Although Atletico have lost their last three La Liga games they have been a different proposition in Europe winning both their Champions League fixtures to join Liverpool at the top of Group D.

Torres said: "It will be a difficult game. Atletico have started the Champions League phenomenally well and they will try to move closer to qualifying in front of their fans.

"For us it is the same. If we claim these three points we will take a very big step towards the last 16. My wish is that we both qualify."

A hamstring injury has robbed the striker of an emotional return to the place where he made his name before moving to Anfield last year.

Torres will remain in England for treatment and said: "If I had gone to Madrid I would have lost virtually two days of recuperation," he said. "At this phase we cannot afford ourselves this luxury."

Liverpool are also without centre-back Martin Skrtel (knee ligaments) but winger Ryan Babel has recovered from an ankle injury.

Atletico feature former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan, who has formed a prolific partnership with Sergio Aguero. Florent Sinama-Pongolle, who had three years at Anfield, could also be a threat.

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