Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson will rest Fernando Torres as much as he can this season to keep the striker fit for the key Premier League games.
That may mean the 26-year-old sitting out the odd match and playing only a minor role in the Europa League as Hodgson targets success on two fronts.
"I think Torres can probably play three games in seven days - he is as capable as anyone else - but if you can spare your players you want to do that," said Hodgson.
"Torres is nothing special in that respect. The thing about him is that he went to the World Cup with an injury, played without being fully fit and we are anxious to make sure that in this season he will be fully fit.
"I am hoping, with the size and quality of our squad, I won't have to use him three times a week, week after week.
"If that happens then what will happen to Liverpool is what happened to me at Fulham - I'll lose players because you cant ask them to take on that workload at the level we are talking about."
Hodgson was grateful the striker was not overly-exerted while on international duty and thanked Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for his consideration.
"I think it was good for him to go with Spain and score two goals against Liechtenstein but it was nice of Del Bosque to spare him for the Argentina (friendly) game because it will be good for his future not just for Liverpool.
Torres will lead the line at Birmingham on Sunday as Liverpool look to get their season up and running after starting with a draw to Arsenal and a defeat at Manchester City before beating West Brom just before the international break.
"We've only had one defeat. We've had some good results, won our four European games and we were unlucky to drop two points in the last minute against Arsenal," said Hodgson, who has stressed too much significance has been place on the loss at Eastlands.
"I'm afraid defeats are going to come along. I can't sit here and say we won't lose matches because we will. Most teams in this league will.
"All we can do is work and prepare hard and try not to lose them.
"When a defeat comes along you have to analyse the reasons why, work at your game to become better and then you put the defeat behind you and concentrate on your next game."
