FERNANDO HAILS UNSUNG HERO
Jimmy Rice 05 June 2008
Fernando Torres has pinpointed Liverpool goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero as one of the key men behind his success in the Premier League.
Torres smashed in 33 goals last year, including 24 in the league - a record for a foreigner in a debut season.
The striker has almost doubled his goals tally from his Atletico Madrid days, and while various explanations have been put forward in the press, the man himself is keen to credit one of Melwood's unsung heroes.
"We've a Spanish goalkeeping coach and he has been a genius at telling me every week exactly what kind of task lies in front of me in the following match," said Torres.
"Nobody has ever worked with me like this before. It's outstanding. Basically, I know days before the next game exactly the best way to finish a chance against the keeper I'm about to face.
"Xavi Valero tells me precisely what each keeper tends to do - stay big, go down early, if they have a preferred side they try to push you to. It's vital information. I've refined the way I take chances as a result.
"This Liverpool side also works its socks off. Dirk Kuyt, for example, is spectacular in how cleverly and how hard he works to make sure I get top-quality possession near goal."
Meanwhile, Torres claims Ricardo Carvalho is the toughest defender he has faced in the Premier League.
El Nino has been adept at exposing the league's most physical defenders since his arrival in England last summer, but admits the Chelsea centre-back is a different proposition.
"John Terry is captain so gets a much higher profile. But he's only secondary to Carvalho," said Torres.
"The central defenders (in the Premier League) are usually big, strong, aggressive lads but Ricky is superb. He has every quality that is needed."
Jimmy Rice 05 June 2008
Fernando Torres has pinpointed Liverpool goalkeeping coach Xavi Valero as one of the key men behind his success in the Premier League.
Torres smashed in 33 goals last year, including 24 in the league - a record for a foreigner in a debut season.
The striker has almost doubled his goals tally from his Atletico Madrid days, and while various explanations have been put forward in the press, the man himself is keen to credit one of Melwood's unsung heroes.
"We've a Spanish goalkeeping coach and he has been a genius at telling me every week exactly what kind of task lies in front of me in the following match," said Torres.
"Nobody has ever worked with me like this before. It's outstanding. Basically, I know days before the next game exactly the best way to finish a chance against the keeper I'm about to face.
"Xavi Valero tells me precisely what each keeper tends to do - stay big, go down early, if they have a preferred side they try to push you to. It's vital information. I've refined the way I take chances as a result.
"This Liverpool side also works its socks off. Dirk Kuyt, for example, is spectacular in how cleverly and how hard he works to make sure I get top-quality possession near goal."
Meanwhile, Torres claims Ricardo Carvalho is the toughest defender he has faced in the Premier League.
El Nino has been adept at exposing the league's most physical defenders since his arrival in England last summer, but admits the Chelsea centre-back is a different proposition.
"John Terry is captain so gets a much higher profile. But he's only secondary to Carvalho," said Torres.
"The central defenders (in the Premier League) are usually big, strong, aggressive lads but Ricky is superb. He has every quality that is needed."
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