Hodgson happy to receive rested Torres
Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has said he is pleased that Spain's national team coach, Vicente del Bosque, rested striker Fernando Torres in the friendly against Argentina on Tuesday.
Spain slumped to a 4–1 defeat in the match after an impressive display by Lionel Messi, but even as the team were behind del Bosque opted not to play Torres.
In doing so, he honoured Hodgson's wish for his injury-ridden player to be rested.
"We spoke to the Spanish coach and they said it wasn't possible for him to skip the trip," Hodgson told The Mirror. "If he'd done that then a lot of other big name players might have wanted to skip it as well."
Injuries in 2010
Torres suffered a knee injury along with general exhaustion during the second half of Liverpool's 2009-2010 season, undergoing surgery in April.
The Spaniard recovered in time for Spain's victorious run at the World Cup, only to sustain a hamstring injury in the final.
Without having reached full match fitness, Torres featured in Spain's Euro 2012 qualifier against Liechtenstein on Friday, scoring two goals. The first goal was a deft chip over the keeper that suggested a return to form.
Nearing fitness?
Torres played 89 minutes against West Bromwich on 29 August, scoring Liverpool's only goal, but Hodgson still pleaded that the striker be rested for Spain.
And having played him in the competitive encounter with Liechtenstein, del Bosque left him out against Argentina, to Hodgson's relief.
"Through fairness they felt obliged to take everybody, but luckily they listened to my plea not to overplay him and the fact he played no part in the game hopefully means he will come back in good shape and be able to work with us instead."
Liverpool travel to face Birmingham in the Premier League this Sunday.
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