FERNANDO TORRES looks certain to miss Liverpools big showdown with Manchester United on September 13.

The Spanish hitman limped out of Sundays 0-0 draw at Aston Villa and a scan confirmed he tore a hamstring.

Boss Rafa Benitez has been told he could be out for three weeks while skipper Steven Gerrard is also struggling to be fit to face United at Anfield after a groin op.

Torres has been withdrawn from Spains qualifiers with Bosnia and Armenia over the next few days.

He could also be struggling for the opening Champions League group game against Marseille in a fortnight.

At least Benitez got a lift after completing the signing of Espanyol winger Albert Eiera for a knockdown fee of around £5.5million.

It is a real coup for the Reds as rivals Everton bid £12m last month.

However with defender Steve Finnan going in the opposite direction in an independent transfer worth around £1.2m, the Reds drove a hard bargain for the former Manchester City ace.

Benitez said: He also had offers from other English clubs but said no because he wanted to play for us. That means a lot to me because it shows the commitment he has to play for Liverpool.

He can talk English and of course he knows the Premier League, which is a big bonus.

Hes the kind of player we have been talking about. He can beat players and get good deliveries into the area for our strikers.

The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal with an option of a further 12 months if he does well.

Riera became the target for Benitez after he failed to land Gareth Barry and Stewart Downing.

Finnan, 32, leaves Anfield after five seasons and has signed a two-year deal with Espanyol.

Striker Andrei Voronin has also left on loan to Hertha Berlin.

Benitez also signed Brazilian striker Vitor Flora, 18, on a free from Botafogo plus Hungarian keeper Peter Gulasci, 18, from MTK Hungaria.