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Torres is still revered at his boyhood club two seasons after moving to Anfield and was distraught when injury ruined his eagerly anticipated homecoming while on international duty last week.
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 spent made 214 appearances over six years. Torres was ruled out for "10 to 15 days" by Liverpool's medical staff 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 Rafael Benítez, who will have Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel available tomorrow after the pair missed Saturday's victory over Wigan due to travel fatigue and an ankle injury respectively.
The Atlético forward Luis García, meanwhile, has backed his former club to sustain their impressive start to the season and to provide a genuine title challenge next May, though the Spaniard admits he will feel "no joy" should he score against Liverpool tomorrow night.
The 30-year-old joined Atlético days before Torres' record move to Anfield having spent a fruitful three seasons at Liverpool, with whom he won the 2005 Champions League in Istanbul, and believes Benítez now has a squad that can finally compete with Chelsea and Manchester United for the Premier League crown.
"The team and the squad is getting stronger each year, and I am sure that Rafa believes he can take the team closer to the league this season even though he may never show it publicly," said García, who also played under Benítez at Tenerife. "You can see the team growing. If they continue in this way they could win the league. When I first joined, Chelsea were far better than us, but the gap is closing and Liverpool can now win the league."