English Premier League News: Robbie Fowler defends Liverpool’s Spanish striker Fernando Torres
Former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler has come out in defence of under fire red’s striker Fernando Torres. The ex-Liverpool striker said that Torres’ team mates need to get him on the ball more in order to get the best out of him.
The World Cup winning striker has not been in good touch this season, and has looked barely a shadow of himself in the first 5 games of the Premier League. Torres was also not firing all cylinders in the World Cup and after starting
the first two games in South Africa, he was promptly benched by Del Bosque.
Another former Liverpool player, Jamie Redknapp, earlier criticised the Spaniard heavily following his performance against Birmingham. The match ended 0-0 and Liverpool left with just one point. Jamie, the son of Tottenham manager
Harry Redknapp, termed the Spaniard’s performance as "diabolical."
Torres was once again off his game in the big derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the first half. The second half did see some improvement in the front man’s performance and he earned a penalty and a free kick. Both
resulted in goals for Liverpool and got them level.
Fowler said that ‘El Nino’ is still feeling his way back on the pitch and has not recovered fully from his thigh injury. He added that the fans at Anfield expect a lot from their stars and the fans as well as the management should
be a bit more patient with Torres.
In comments reported by Liverpool's official site, Fowler said: "It takes time to get back up to the top level after a long period of injury, and he's had more than his fair share in recent times.”
"Even just a fraction of a percentage makes a massive difference at his level, and in a couple of weeks he'll probably look a different man again.”
"When he's at the top of his game then his touch and pace are a deadly combination, but it's probably not quite there yet as he's still coming back from a series of injuries that can affect that first explosive moment on the ball.”
The former Manchester City player said that Fernando is a player who always gives it his all and is totally committed to the cause. He added that even if he is not scoring goals he would always be at the forefront of oppositions
plans and would keep defenders busy. Fowler said that when a team attacks it is always beneficial to have a decoy in offence who can attract most of the attention which in turn makes way for others to make inroads.
He further added, "You can never question his contribution to the team, because he is prepared to put in a shift up front on his own against some of the best - and toughest - defenders in the world, and believe me that's not easy.”
"I watched with interest as Liverpool failed to find him in the first half at United, and the results were obvious. In the second though, their tactics changed, and suddenly he created two goals. That showed he is not as far away
as people are making out.”
"Give him the ball and he will get results, which was evident after the break at Old Trafford."
Torres missed a good part of Liverpool’s last season due to an injury, and did not play in the final eight games of the season. After recovering from the injury he went to the World Cup with Spain. Even in South Africa he could
not produce his best often looked lethargic. Following his two starts, he was sent to the bench but was able to make a telling contribution in the all important final. Torres was the one who instigated the World Cup winning goal in the final after being sent
on in extra time.
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