TORRES DEFIANT OVER TROPHY CHANCES
NEWS STORY : TORRES DEFIANT OVER TROPHY CHANCES
Paul Hassall 09 February 2009
Fernando Torres is optimistic Liverpool will go on to enjoy a successful campaign after his last-gasp winner at Portsmouth kept the Reds in the title hunt.
The Spaniard admits Rafael Benitez's men have not been at their best of late, but is confident they will start to improve in the coming weeks as the Champions League tie with Real Madrid looms ever closer.
"We began very well and at the moment we're going through a period which isn't the best," he said.
"But we're not bad, maybe it's just that we're stifled by lesser teams who are happy with a draw.
"We are better against the big teams and we have to show that against Real Madrid. "We're getting back players that have been absent with injury like me.
"It all depends on how you look at things. You can be pessimistic and think we have been knocked out of the Cup and that it was tough for us to win.
"Or you can think positively, which is what I do, and see that we are fighting for the league, that we're in the last 16 of the Champions League, that on the whole we are better than previous years.
"That's what I think." The Reds now face a two-week break before a home clash with Manchester City is followed by the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Being a former Atletico star, Torres is relishing the prospect of a return to his homeland and is targeting a first ever win at the home of the reigning Spanish champions.
"It is the most attractive tie of the Champions League," he said. "One of the teams with the best history in Europe against one with the greatest in England and only one can remain in the competition.
"For me it's not just another game and that's not just for my Atletico past: it is an extra motivation for anyone to face Madrid in Europe.
"I have never won in the Bernabeu and with all the respect that I deserve and they have for us, I really want go and look like equals against Real.
"There is no favourite, apart from maybe each team at home. That the second leg is at our place might be an advantage, but that doesn't always prove true.
"I am well aware that they will be very dangerous in the Champions League. They always have been.
"But in cup games, and the other day is the exception that proves the rule, we are like a fish in water.
"The league is harder because there are clubs who have more money and you can tell that."
Skipper Steven Gerrard faces a race against time to overcome his hamstring injury and face the nine times champions on February 25, with El Nino desperate for the Reds number eight to make a rapid recovery.
"He is irreplaceable," he said. "Every great team has a model player, one whose home is there, one who stays there for life.
"People come and people go and he always stays. Here that's Gerrard. Liverpool is him and 10 others. He is everything for us.
"They're saying he'll be out for three weeks, let's hope it's less. I hope and would love his lay-off to be shorter."
News / Credit / Info 100% by : www.liverpoolfc.net
Paul Hassall 09 February 2009
Fernando Torres is optimistic Liverpool will go on to enjoy a successful campaign after his last-gasp winner at Portsmouth kept the Reds in the title hunt.
The Spaniard admits Rafael Benitez's men have not been at their best of late, but is confident they will start to improve in the coming weeks as the Champions League tie with Real Madrid looms ever closer.
"We began very well and at the moment we're going through a period which isn't the best," he said.
"But we're not bad, maybe it's just that we're stifled by lesser teams who are happy with a draw.
"We are better against the big teams and we have to show that against Real Madrid. "We're getting back players that have been absent with injury like me.
"It all depends on how you look at things. You can be pessimistic and think we have been knocked out of the Cup and that it was tough for us to win.
"Or you can think positively, which is what I do, and see that we are fighting for the league, that we're in the last 16 of the Champions League, that on the whole we are better than previous years.
"That's what I think." The Reds now face a two-week break before a home clash with Manchester City is followed by the first-leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Being a former Atletico star, Torres is relishing the prospect of a return to his homeland and is targeting a first ever win at the home of the reigning Spanish champions.
"It is the most attractive tie of the Champions League," he said. "One of the teams with the best history in Europe against one with the greatest in England and only one can remain in the competition.
"For me it's not just another game and that's not just for my Atletico past: it is an extra motivation for anyone to face Madrid in Europe.
"I have never won in the Bernabeu and with all the respect that I deserve and they have for us, I really want go and look like equals against Real.
"There is no favourite, apart from maybe each team at home. That the second leg is at our place might be an advantage, but that doesn't always prove true.
"I am well aware that they will be very dangerous in the Champions League. They always have been.
"But in cup games, and the other day is the exception that proves the rule, we are like a fish in water.
"The league is harder because there are clubs who have more money and you can tell that."
Skipper Steven Gerrard faces a race against time to overcome his hamstring injury and face the nine times champions on February 25, with El Nino desperate for the Reds number eight to make a rapid recovery.
"He is irreplaceable," he said. "Every great team has a model player, one whose home is there, one who stays there for life.
"People come and people go and he always stays. Here that's Gerrard. Liverpool is him and 10 others. He is everything for us.
"They're saying he'll be out for three weeks, let's hope it's less. I hope and would love his lay-off to be shorter."
News / Credit / Info 100% by : www.liverpoolfc.net
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