Fernando Torres fears long-term injuries if he stays in England

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres fears that the physical demands of the Premier League could damage him even beyond his playing days.

The 26-year-old is currently ruled out for the season with a reoccurring knee problem that has also limited him to just 22 appearances this season, although he has still scored 18 goals.

The Spaniard, who expects to be fit in time for the World Cup, is concerned at the physical toll of the English top-flight and is amazed that players like Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard have coped with the physical demands of English football for so long.

Torres told the News of the World: "The Premier League is such a tough competition and I have always admired this championship and the players who are here.

"This is my third season and I'm still amazed to see Gerrard, Rooney and Lampard, players who have been here a long time, still playing at such a high level and with such impressive rhythm because the English league really wears down a player.

"I just can't imagine what state I'll be in within five or six years if I continue to play here - it could easily give me problems when I stop playing. The physical level is superior to all other countries."

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