Gerrard suffered a hamstring strain during last night's FA Cup defeat to Everton and the England midfielder is set to be sidelined for around three weeks.

That has put a question mark against the 28-year-old's availability to face Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie, which is scheduled to take place at the Bernabeu on February 25.

Losing Gerrard would be a huge blow for Liverpool, but far from welcoming the news, Torres admits he would rather be facing the Reds' talisman.

"I don't know how badly he's injured but it's clear that if he doesn't play it would be an important absence for them," said Torres this afternoon.

"But I think that in a Champions League game, what everyone wants is to see an entertaining match, and if Gerrard cannot play it would be bad

"If he doesn't play, he will be a big loss for the fans. Personally I really like this player and I would like to come up against him on the pitch.

"It would be good for the match if he recovers, but if not it will be good for Real Madrid because he is a key player for Liverpool."