Liverpool will be without star players Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard for several weeks, it has been revealed.

Both had to be substituted during this week's FA Cup defeat against Reading and subsequent scans showed that Torres needs a knee operation after twisting the joint.

The examination showed that he had torn cartilage and he will be out for at least six weeks after surgery.

Gerrard suffered a hamstring strain in the same game and will miss at least the next two weeks.

To add to the problems for manager Rafa Benitez, Israeli midfielder Jossi Benayoun is out for at least a month after it was revealed that he has cracked a rib.

People who have had knee surgery themselves may find that using ultrasound treatment helps ease the problem.

Another sportsman who has had knee surgery is cricketer Andrew Flintoff, who will now miss the Indian Premier League after further exploratory surgery on his right knee.

The all-rounder will now have six months of rehabilitation before he can take the field again.