Fernando Torres may not be fit for season opener against Arsenal, but pledges his loyalty to Liverpool
Roy Hodgson may have to start the new season against Arsenal (August 15) without his first choice striker Fernando Torres. The Spanish striker suffered a groin injury during the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands, and is not expected to recover in time for the season opener at Anfield.
Torres is also expected to miss the club’s Europa League match against Rabotnicki at Anfield. The striker has not yet resumed full training for Liverpool. The club’s medical team has said that the Spaniard is still some distance away from 100% recovery, and if he is put in action immediately, he may be back in the medical room again sooner rather than later.
Torres was hampered by a knee injury last season and missed around 2 months at the end of 2009-10 campaign. He was part of the Spain team in the 2010 World Cup, but could not get himself match fit and was unable to impress in the 3 starts that he got in the national team. Spanish manager Vicente Del Bosque later decided to put him on the bench. In general, Torres had a quiet World Cup campaign; he was sent on in the final match during extra time. He did make a telling contribution in the final, instigating the move that led to the World Cup winning goal from Andres Iniesta. Two minutes before the final whistle, Torres was chasing down a long ball on a counterattack, when he suddenly pulled up and fell on the ground due to a groin injury. Since then, there had been speculations about his fitness and whether he would be able to start the season with Liverpool or not.
Liverpool’s new manager Roy Hodgson has said that he does not want to rush his ace striker back into action, and is prepared to give him all the time he needs to get back to full fitness.
In the last month or so, there had been immense speculation that Fernando Torres was well on his way out of Anfield. Chelsea and Barcelona were reportedly interested in attaining the services of the 26 year old striker. Lack of success during his time at Anfield was cited as the obvious reason behind his desire to leave, and his former manager Rafael Benitez, who brought him to the club, had also parted ways with The Reds. New manager Roy Hodgson had a long chat with the Spaniard after he came back from International duty, and convinced him to stay.
Recently, there was a report on BBC that Torres has openly said that he is staying at Liverpool, and is looking forward to working with Roy Hodgson.
Torres was seemingly upset about the fact that Liverpool would not be competing in the Champions League this season (that is the aim of every top player in Europe).
The Spaniard in an interview said that he is looking forward to the new season, and is excited about the plans of his new manager.
He added that he is still committed to the club and the fans the way he was before the World Cup. He said that this is the time to start a new chapter in Liverpool’s rich history, and he is very optimistic that along with the new manager, he would be able to take the team to new heights.
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