English Premier League: Roy Hodgson defends Fernando Torres as Avram Grant backs Robert Green
Liverpool’s manager Roy Hodgson came out in the media in defence of his star striker Fernando Torres after the striker’s disappointing display against Birmingham City. Liverpool fans thought that their marksman was back in form after his brilliant strike against West Bromwich Albion before the international break came into action but in Liverpool’s first match after the break at the Saint Andrew’s Stadium against Birmingham City.
Liverpool have already had a sorrowful start to their season after they lost three nil to Manchester City and drew against Arsenal in their first match of the season at Anfield. Liverpool’s only win so far has come against West Bromwich Albion, a match that the Merseyside Reds won by only a solitary goal. Former Liverpool footballer, Jamie Redknapp was also critical of El Nino on Sky Sports after Liverpool’s match on Sunday afternoon. Son of the former West Ham manager, Harry Redknapp said that Torres looked completely off form for Liverpool against Alex McLeish’s side.
Hodgson has backed Torres to rediscover his old touch amidst such reports. Roy was responsible for convincing Fernando to stay at Anfield following a summer which was clouded by transfer speculation with regard to the Spaniards future. At the World Cup in South Africa, Torres was given plenty of opportunities to make his mark at the international arena but he failed to do so.
Most of the striker’s time with La Furia Roja was plagued with injuries and fitness troubles, even in the World Cup final against Netherlands, Torres only lasted five minutes before hurting his hamstring in an attempt to chase a through ball in the extra time of the match. Luckily for Spain, David Villa was on form throughout the tournament as the Iberian giants lifted their first ever World Cup trophy in their football history.
Hodgson was a bit over-the-top when he told the media after the match that whenever the Liverpool striker adopted a central position in front of the Birmingham penalty area, he caused havoc in Alex McLeish’s side’s defence. Roy gave credit to Birmingham’s defence who according to him made it difficult for Torres as they pressurized them whenever he had the ball.
The ex-Fulham manager complimented Torres by stating that the Spaniard looked fitter with every passing game that he played for Liverpool. Hodgson said that his striker looked more dangerous as the match went into its later stages. Roy Hodgson, who took Fulham to the Europa League final last season, also commented that Torres is working hard for the team but he still lacks some match training due to the amount of matches he has missed through injury.
Liverpool escaped defeat at the Saint Andrew’s Stadium but only through their goalkeeper’s fine performance. Reina pulled off two brilliant saves to keep his side in the game as both the teams gained a point each from the encounter. Another manager who was busy in defending his players was Avram Grant. Grant who is in charge at West Ham United at the moment has overseen their worst start in to the club season in the history of the Premier League.
The Hammers have not won even a single game thus far this season. West Ham have lost all of their four matches so far in the English Premier League. Their latest defeat came as a result of their goalkeeper’s horrendous mistake. Robert Green, who played for England at the World Cup against United States of America made another one of his terrible errors to cost his team the match against Chelsea at Upton Park.
Green spilled Drogba’s free kick which caused confusion inside the West Ham penalty area. Green was defending by his manager in the post match press conference as Grant said that his Robert is a good goalkeeper who needs to get over his mistakes and focus on the job at hand like a man.
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