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Fernando Torres Sees Liverpool Positives
With the upcoming Champions League game against Real Madrid, Torres tries to take the positives from Liverpool's recent form.
Feb 8, 2009 3:55:48 PM
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has signaled his intent for the upcoming game against Real Madrid by stating that the Reds play better football against the bigger teams.
The Spanish striker moved from Madrid rivals Atletico Madrid to Liverpool two years ago and would love nothing more than to get one over on his old enemy.
The 24-year-old striker never beat Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu and he has stated that he hoped Liverpool can produce something special for the Reds' fans.
Speaking to Spanish daily sports AS, Torres said, "We began very well and at the moment we're going through a period which isn't the best. But we're not bad, maybe it's just that we're stifled by lesser teams who are happy with a draw.
The Spanish striker moved from Madrid rivals Atletico Madrid to Liverpool two years ago and would love nothing more than to get one over on his old enemy.
The 24-year-old striker never beat Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu and he has stated that he hoped Liverpool can produce something special for the Reds' fans.
Speaking to Spanish daily sports AS, Torres said, "We began very well and at the moment we're going through a period which isn't the best. 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 that 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 match with Madrid pits two of the most successful teams in the competition against each other, and Torres is certain that it is the biggest tie of the round.
"It is the most attractive
tie of the Champions League. 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 favorite, 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."
Liverpool may be without influential skipper Steven Gerrard for the tie and manager Rafael Benitez will be hoping he can recover from a hamstring injury in time.
Nick Turner, Goal.com
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