Torres will stay even if Rafa doesn't + My injury not to blame for slump.

[kingfunk]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0305/torresf_benitezr.html

Thursday, 5 March 2009 20:54

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is confident he will be fit for the club's crucial clashes in Europe and at home in the next 10 days, and has pledged to stay at Anfield even if Reds boss Rafael Benitez leaves.

The Reds take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie looking to progress with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Bernabeu, and then face Manchester United in the Premier League in a match they have to win to have any hope of catching their bitter north-west rivals.

Torres has not played since he suffered an ankle injury in that Madrid victory, but revealed tonight he is optimistic about returning next week.

'I hope to be available for both of the matches because they will be two great games,' he said in a webchat on his personal site fernando9torres.com.

'The ankle injury has been giving me some trouble and the recovery process is taking longer than I hoped.

'However, I am quite optimistic that I will be ready for the match versus Real Madrid, and if the ankle holds out, I will also be at Old Trafford.'

Torres does not accept the claim that his injury problems this season have cost Liverpool their chance of winning the Premier League title, adding: 'I don't think that I'm to blame for the injuries, it forms part of the game.

'I have suffered three muscular injuries during the first three months of the competition, and now I have picked up an ankle injury.

'I don't think that my injury should be considered as a reason for Liverpool not winning the league. Although following a couple of poor results we have lost touch with Manchester United at the top, the team has done well this season. The league though is still alive, but Man United are looking strong and they are not dropping points.'

The Spain forward insisted his own future at Anfield was not tied to that of manager and compatriot Rafael Benitez, who is yet to sign a new deal with Liverpool.

'My future is tied with Liverpool, because I still have four years left to run on my contract,' he added.

'Therefore, should Rafa leave, I will stay on and fulfil my contract with the club. My wish is that Rafa extends his contract with Liverpool. I cannot think about how a possible departure might affect me, because it hasn't happened yet, and I don't like wasting time thinking about ifs and buts.'

[lucas]

Thats good to hear . In fairness though, his contract is with Liverpool FC not Rafa Benitez. Its good to hear players talk like that. I wasn't impressed with Kuyt saying Rafa has told him not to sign a contract until he does.

[Mike]

Good news, he loves the club. Dont think he will stay forever and will one day return to spain, but for now i love him

[Darkon]

Thats good to hear . In fairness though, his contract is with Liverpool FC not Rafa Benitez. Its good to hear players talk like that. I wasn't impressed with Kuyt saying Rafa has told him not to sign a contract until he does.

It either says something about the loyalty of the player, when not speaking as torres does, or it says something about the managers loyalty to his employee!

Or perhaps both...

[danwms]

I might suggest that there is a real chance of rafa going though.

[The Birdman]

What is he going to say?? If Rafa goes I'm leaving in a huff even though I've got 4 years left in the weeks leading up to our 2 biggest games of the season?? He's not that stupid.

If anyone thinks he would stay and play for Martin O'Neil (for example) they are mental.
He joined becuase of Rafa, the spanish influence at the club and because we asked him too, he didn't decide to join for any other reason.

[Tee]

What is he going to say?? If Rafa goes I'm leaving in a huff even though I've got 4 years left in the weeks leading up to our 2 biggest games of the season?? He's not that stupid.

If anyone thinks he would stay and play for Martin O'Neil (for example) they are mental.
He joined becuase of Rafa, the spanish influence at the club and because we asked him too, he didn't decide to join for any other reason.

Bollocks mate - those were just some of the factors he took into consideration, but as far as I am concerned he came primarily because it was Liverpool FC. I read somewhere that his brother and friends all supported Liverpool as youngsters and he grew up with a fair amount of knowledge on the club.

He will stay no matter who is in charge, because now he is here he realises, in his own words, how special and unique this club is.

[saj]

Bollocks mate - those were just some of the factors he took into consideration, but as far as I am concerned he came primarily because it was Liverpool FC. I read somewhere that his brother and friends all supported Liverpool as youngsters and he grew up with a fair amount of knowledge on the club.

He will stay no matter who is in charge, because now he is here he realises, in his own words, how special and unique this club is.

There's an interview he did on the official website. He along with 5 other mates support liverpool. All his friends have got LFC tattoos but Torres couldn't get one as he played for Athletico so his friends got him the "We'll never walk alone" captains armband. So in short Tee you're right, it is absolute and utter bollocks

[BFG]

What is he going to say?? If Rafa goes I'm leaving in a huff even though I've got 4 years left in the weeks leading up to our 2 biggest games of the season?? He's not that stupid.

If anyone thinks he would stay and play for Martin O'Neil (for example) they are mental.
He joined becuase of Rafa, the spanish influence at the club and because we asked him too, he didn't decide to join for any other reason.

Bollocks mate - those were just some of the factors he took into consideration, but as far as I am concerned he came primarily because it was Liverpool FC. I read somewhere that his brother and friends all supported Liverpool as youngsters and he grew up with a fair amount of knowledge on the club.

He will stay no matter who is in charge, because now he is here he realises, in his own words, how special and unique this club is.

I think the answer lies somewhere between your posts lads. He obviously feels a connection to the club but he always speaks in glowing terms about Rafa so if he felt that he was treated badly and sacked it might influence him. Who knows.

[The Birdman]

Bollocks mate - those were just some of the factors he took into consideration, but as far as I am concerned he came primarily because it was Liverpool FC. I read somewhere that his brother and friends all supported Liverpool as youngsters and he grew up with a fair amount of knowledge on the club.

He will stay no matter who is in charge, because now he is here he realises, in his own words, how special and unique this club is.

I'm sorry but you and Saj are deluded.
Everyone says they were a fan as a kid and I'm not doubting Torres integrity in any of it but to say that's why is joined is rubbish.
He joined because he is spanish, we have a spanish manager, a heathy influence of spanish players that he would have spoken to on International duty so he felt comfortable making the move.
If you think one of the brightest world talents (at the time he joined) moved to Liverpool because he and his friends supported us is ridiculous.
How old is Torres? (just checked he was born in 84) so that's right he joined because he grew up watching us win everything going in the last 25 years. He was 6 the last time we won the league ffs.

Say Rafa leaves, say we don't compete for the league and CL you seriously think he will stay because he thinks the club is 'special and unique'

This head in the clouds attitude explains why some fans can't see the difference between the truth and 'media language' and hang on every word reported by Sky and the like.

[Tee]

I'm sorry but you and Saj are deluded.
Everyone says they were a fan as a kid and I'm not doubting Torres integrity in any of it but to say that's why is joined is rubbish.
He joined because he is spanish, we have a spanish manager, a heathy influence of spanish players that he would have spoken to on International duty so he felt comfortable making the move.
If you think one of the brightest world talents (at the time he joined) moved to Liverpool because he and his friends supported us is ridiculous.
How old is Torres? (just checked he was born in 84) so that's right he joined because he grew up watching us win everything going in the last 25 years. He was 6 the last time we won the league ffs.

Say Rafa leaves, say we don't compete for the league and CL you seriously think he will stay because he thinks the club is 'special and unique'

This head in the clouds attitude explains why some fans can't see the difference between the truth and 'media language' and hang on every word reported by Sky and the like.

Head in the clouds? Laughable mate, realy is.

Torres has said so many times that he wants to be here for many years and become a legend like the King. You really need to have a little more faith dude.

Oh, and you are moving the goalposts somewhat with "say we don't compete for the league and CL you seriously think he will stay". That is a different scenario - put it this way, what if Rafa left and we DID compete/win the league and were still strong in the CL. What then? He would still leave because of his allegiance to his fellow Spaniards?

[squaddie]

Alot of our squad are only here because of Rafa in the first place including Torres. Whether they **** off when/if he does is different story. I still think when the players did actually turn up they didnt realise the full extent of the fantastic history/fans/respect Liverpool football club has.

I dont think the likes of Torres will just pack his bags if Rafa does go, he's not a **** house like that. If we warrant keeping him here, win the champs league, start smashin the arse out of the prem etc he will stay.

[saj]

I'm sorry but you and Saj are deluded.
Everyone says they were a fan as a kid and I'm not doubting Torres integrity in any of it but to say that's why is joined is rubbish.
He joined because he is spanish, we have a spanish manager, a heathy influence of spanish players that he would have spoken to on International duty so he felt comfortable making the move.
If you think one of the brightest world talents (at the time he joined) moved to Liverpool because he and his friends supported us is ridiculous.
How old is Torres? (just checked he was born in 84) so that's right he joined because he grew up watching us win everything going in the last 25 years. He was 6 the last time we won the league ffs.

Say Rafa leaves, say we don't compete for the league and CL you seriously think he will stay because he thinks the club is 'special and unique'

This head in the clouds attitude explains why some fans can't see the difference between the truth and 'media language' and hang on every word reported by Sky and the like.

So you're telling me, he would only support us if we were winning trophies? You know, it is possible that people don't always glory hunt when deciding on which team they support. I'm an example of that.

And the clouds, media etc I agree with. But in this case I don't as it was an actual interview that appeared on the official website - they would get in trouble if they fabricated interviews. So you my friend are deluded.

Do you know the words to the Torres song? Have you seen the image of him with the captains armband on which had you'll never walk alone written on the inside of it?

[Elvoz]

Bollocks mate - those were just some of the factors he took into consideration, but as far as I am concerned he came primarily because it was Liverpool FC. I read somewhere that his brother and friends all supported Liverpool as youngsters and he grew up with a fair amount of knowledge on the club.

He will stay no matter who is in charge, because now he is here he realises, in his own words, how special and unique this club is.