Thursday, February 10, 2011

Big signing Torres taunted, substituted in Blues debut


LONDON: Fernando Torres had a nightmare Chelsea debut against his former club.
The £50mil Spaniard was substituted on 65 minutes and taunted by Liverpool fans.
Raul Meireles hit the Kop winner and boss Kenny Dalglish could not resist a dig at Torres.
“I do not think any of their forwards had a day which they will be happy with,” said Dalglish.
“Our goalkeeper did not have too much to do because the players in front of him defended brilliantly.
“He (Torres) had one shot on target when Jamie Carragher did a fantastic block tackle but I’m not here to talk about somebody else’s players.
Reds fans chanted ‘You should have stayed with a big club’ when Torres was substituted.
Dalglish added: “Our supporters are entitled to their opinions and know where the players’ loyalties lie. They have to show respect to this club.
“The most important people are the people still at Liverpool and they always will be. Whatever someone else wants to do with their life, that’s their choice.
“The personnel of the opposition isn’t important to me. If Carlo Ancelotti was playing up front for Chelsea, I’d still have wanted three points.”
Just 10 days ago, Liverpool’s future looked gloomy as Torres agitated for a move before the transfer deadline. But suddenly things are looking up for Dalglish and company.
Wins over Stoke and Chelsea have lifted Liverpool to within six points of the top four and new signings Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll, drafted in to replace Torres, have yet to start for the Reds.
Liverpool’s recent upsurge in fortunes has done Dalglish’s chances of turning his short-term job into a more permanent one but the Scot was quick to play down such talk.
“I’m only doing what I said I would come in and do, which is help,” he said.
“I’ll never stand in the way of progress at this football club. I have never had a conversation with the owners beyond the conversation I had when I came in.
“That’s where we stand at the moment and until there is more to discuss – that is where we are.”
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insisted Torres could yet be a success with Chelsea after helping spoil the striker’s debut.
“Good players come and go. I’ve played against plenty of former Liverpool players going back to Robbie Fowler,” said Carragher.
“Torres is one of the best in the world but he’s not with us now. We’ve got our own job to do and that’s what we did.” 
  

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