Liverpool FC Forum

by **Richj** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:00 pm

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_4910775,00.html

by **GRAHAM01** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 4:16 pm

that is nothing but good news

by **NANNY RED** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:06 am

Fernando Torres has again pledged his long-term future to Liverpool following reports that Barcelona are weighing up a summer bid for his services.

Speaking ahead of Spain's friendly with England on Wednesday night, the Liverpool striker insists he is happy at Anfield and isn't considering a move away.

"I don't see myself playing for Real Madrid, or Barcelona or Chelsea or any other team," he said.

"I see myself playing for Liverpool. I have a long contract and that's that."

After netting late winners in each of Liverpool's last two league games against Chelsea and Portsmouth, El Nino is hopeful his injury problems are now a thing of the past.

"This year what I am more worried about are injuries," he added. "I have had many problems since last summer but I hope I will be okay now until the end of the season."

And Torres is keeping his fingers crossed that Reds skipper Steven Gerrard can make a speedy return to first team action after a hamstring problem.

"Hopefully Steven will be okay too," he said. "He's a special player and a vital part of our team and we need him fit again soon.

"I don't know how long it will take for his leg to heal, but we wish him the best and hope we can have him back as quick as possible.

"If it is in time for the Champions League game with Real Madrid even better."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N163227090210-1712.htm

Good lad in he

by **Sabre** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:11 am

Nanny, I read this words yesterday in the Spanish press, it was almost the literal translation of that.

However, in the Spanish quotes he added something that translation has missed. Torres said that he's noticing the effort of the Euros, and that it's not only him, several players that played summer competitions are noticing that summer competitions.

And I agree, he's a top lad

by **tubby** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:12 am

I love this guy I really do. So glad he's ours. And it's not just his ability as a player but as a character he seems like such a likable guy. I wonder by the time he is finished at Liverpool he will be St Fernando Torres. :laugh:

Actually I am not even sure if that's possible, can someone not from the UK be knighted?

by **NANNY RED** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:37 am

found this interview remove it if it has already been posted

Ta

What is Gerrard's condition?

- The word is that he’ll be out for three weeks but hopefully it won’t be as long. But you never know with a hamstring injury…and I speak from personal experience. What gives me hope is that he asked for the substitution five minutes after it had happened. Whenever it’s a serious injury you know you’re done right away. I hope and wish that he can be back sooner.

In time for the Bernabeu match.

- He has no natural replacement. Every great team has a reference player, homegrown, who’s been with the club all his life. Others come and go but he’s always there. Here, that player is Gerrard. Liverpool is him and ten more. He means everything to us.

The loss against Everton in the FA Cup spoiled the league win against Chelsea. Yesterday your team won with a last-minute goal from you. Is the team going through a spell of inconsistency?

- We started the season really well but right now we’re not having the best of times. But I wouldn’t say we’re doing poorly, if anything we’re struggling against teams of a lesser profile who are just happy to come away with a draw. We do better against big teams and that’s what we need to show against Madrid. We’ve gotten back some players who spent some time on the sidelines injured, which was my case. Everything depends on how you look at it…

Right.

- You can be a pessimist and think that we’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup and we’re struggling to win games, or you can be positive, which is what I do, and see that we’re in the race for the League title, in the last 16 of the Champions, and that collectively we’re doing better than past years. That’s my view.

And what does Benitez say?

- He’s there, preparing everything. The best thing is that he gets 100% out of his team. We play at a high tempo, with velocity and strength…We do what we know best. He has achieved that Liverpool can compete with teams that were much superior when he arrived. In Cup competitions, with the exception of the other day, he moves like fish in water. The League is more difficult, there are other clubs with more economic resources and that it’s a noticeable difference. But mano a mano….

Liverpool supporters made a song for you. What do you feel when you hear it?

- That it’s a beautiful feeling when they sing your name. I’m not Gerrard or Carragher, who are [like]blood of their own. And when you receive so much affection and it all happens so soon, the sensations are very special. It’s a great pride. It’s an extra motivation to give back as many good things as I’ve received from them. In the shape of goals, and titles…The other day I was walking my dogs on the street and I walked past two gentleman; I had not gone ten meters past them when they started singing the song. It was beautiful.

Goals, like the two you scored against Chelsea.

- My first two this season at Anfield. And last season I scored 20 in 18 matches that we played here…These were special too because we were drawing at the time, they’re a direct rival and had we failed to beat them would’ve been a big disappointment for us. I had been out for months without playing, without scoring and a game like this can do one of two things: sink you or lift up your spirits.

And the game against Madrid?

- It’s the most beautiful tie in the Champions, facing the team with the most history in Europe versus one of the heavyweights in England, and only one will advance. For me it’s not just one more game and not because of my ‘atletico’ past: for anyone it is an extra-motivation to face Madrid in European competition. I’ve never won a match in the Bernabeu and with all due respect, the same they feel for us, I’m yearning to go there and face them as equals. There are no favourites here, perhaps each team at their own stadium. Playing the second leg at Anfield could be an advantage…but it doesn’t always work that way.

You follow their games, correct?

- Yes. And I know that in the Champions they will be very dangerous. Like they’ve always been…

Which one of their players is the most special for you?

- Raul. He always answers the call, specially in Europe: Incredible stats! And breaking Di Stefano’s record too!...It’s the norm now to talk about other players and this is acceptable since they always sign the best players but at the end he always eclipses everyone else. It’s a pleasure to watch Robben play, but for me Raul is the key.

On one occasion you told me of your regret of having abandoned your studies of Business management.

- Yes and I would like to continue one day. Or to study something else: Psychology, Social studies…I really liked the atmosphere of the University. I’m getting older and since I’ve always been very home-loving perhaps I’ll take some distant education courses. But it’s complicated to do while you’re playing football.

Home-loving, and still with the same girlfriend, Olalla. You’ve been together since you were 17.

- I used to go see her in Santiago de Compostela, where she lived. I didn’t have a driver’s permit so I could only fly back and forth. When I was promoted to Atleti’s first team it became more difficult…but here we are.

Your first and only girlfriend. Very unusual for a footballer eh?

- There’s a bit of everything. I know many who still hang out with their childhood friends, the same girlfriend. Who visit the same pubs and stores as when they were kids. Others have a different lifestyle. I don’t like a lot of noise and I’m happy with Olalla, with my people: I would like for all of them to be always beside me. For my friends to remain the same I had when I started off in Fuenlabrada, Atleti’s youth teams…Faithful, loyal. People who come visit me and thank God, it’s a lot of them. It’s those friends that you can go two or three weeks without talking to but you know they’re there for you. And that I’m there for them. I’m telling you: nothing would make me happier than for this to remain true for the rest of my life.

What you’re learning in Liverpool in terms of club organization and else, do you see it as feasible at Atletico? Could Torres the business manager dare to try it at the Manzanares?

- Going abroad and getting to know the structure of other big clubs gives you experience. Atleti do some things well and others not so much. It’s true that Liverpool have a good club structure, but you have to take into consideration the difference in cultures. For example: here I spend many days from 9 to 3 at the club; there I would arrive ten minutes before the training session and leave home as soon as it was over. The ‘colchonero’ supporters have their standards set in that the club has been a great one and think it will always be that way. There is no patience to sit down and think: let’s build a team, find out style of play and don’t rush things. It’s difficult to explain this to people and for them to accept it. Why should we wait if we are a great club? Well, you have to wait and look at the examples of the old Depor, Sevilla, Villarreal, Benitez’s Valencia, who won titles over Madrid and Barcelona. At Atleti there is too much anxiety and that contaminates and complicates things over and over again…

I couldn’t have put it any better my friend. Another thing. Nadal, Gasol, Alonso, Sergio Garcia, yourself for example, are proud Spaniards, part of a new Spain, with no divisions. Does it influence that you all spend so much time away from here?

- When you’re away you learn to value it more. And this past year has been fantastic in the world of sports. You feel proud of all of them. The Australian final we watched from the team’s gathering: we were screaming as if every point was the final one! Rafa, come on Rafa! Because he’s one of us. Like Contador, Sastre, Pau…Yes: we feel more united than ever. Let’s continue that trend. You have no idea how well the English speak of Spain’s sportsmen…!

What about your lifestyle?

- My lifestyle isn’t much different to what it was in Spain. I eat at the same hours, I go to bed past midnight…and on our free time, which isn’t very often I like to travel. I’ve visited Wales, Dublin, Manchester…

Which one is your favourite?

- London. I like the cosmopolitan aspect of it, nobody is looking at you differently because
of who you are or how you dress. Since there are so many famous people there I can walk about and nobody recognizes me.

How many times has Florentino called you lately?

- Ha, ha! None. It’s surprising to see how much expectation is being raised around him; meanwhile he hasn’t even declared himself as a candidate for R.Madrid elections yet.

And hows your English coming along?

- It’s improving. But with so many Spanish speakers around it’s a bit harder. There are days in training I only speak Spanish!

Have you spoken to Luis[Aragones] again? Would it surprise you to hear the phone ring, answer and hear his voice?

- Yes it would surprise me because we’ve barely ever spoken on the phone. Face to face, many times. And I follow his work. I like that he’s more stable now in Turkey, without the struggles of the beginning.

How many times have you seen the video of your goal in the final of the Euro?

- Since I’m back in England, less. On photos because of the people that come to me for the autograph. It’s the biggest thing to have happened to me as a footballer. I like to remember everything, starting with the good atmosphere at the team’s hotel. Hopefully the best is still to come, in the World Cup I mean. But that…We’ve lived through something you’re never sure you’ll be able to experience!

And our Huesca?

- Very good eh? I have friends there (one of them, Rodri, his brother-in-law and Paula’s father, Fernando’s niece. Before her Hugo arrived, son of Israel, his older brother) Hopefully they’ll settle well in the second division, which is the most difficult thing for a newly promoted team.

See you on the 25th.

- Don’t miss it!

Torres : "El Liverpool es Gerrard y diez más, no tiene sustituto" - AS.com

by **Sabre** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:41 am

- You can be a pessimist and think that we’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup and we’re struggling to win games, or you can be positive, which is what I do, and see that we’re in the race for the League title, in the last 16 of the Champions, and that collectively we’re doing better than past years. That’s my view.

If Torres decided to join newkit he'd be a happy clappy -- FACT.

by **Dundalk** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:44 am

One of the few

by **NANNY RED** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:46 am

Sabre wrote:
- You can be a pessimist and think that we’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup and we’re struggling to win games, or you can be positive, which is what I do, and see that we’re in the race for the League title, in the last 16 of the Champions, and that collectively we’re doing better than past years. That’s my view.

If Torres decided to join newkit he'd be a happy clappy -- FACT.

I reckon hed be to happy clappy an hed get banned for arguin with Hiemdell :laugh:

Diplomaticaly like

by **Reg** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:04 am

NANNY RED wrote:
Sabre wrote:
- You can be a pessimist and think that we’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup and we’re struggling to win games, or you can be positive, which is what I do, and see that we’re in the race for the League title, in the last 16 of the Champions, and that collectively we’re doing better than past years. That’s my view.

If Torres decided to join newkit he'd be a happy clappy -- FACT.

I reckon hed be to happy clappy an hed get banned for arguin with Hiemdell Diplomaticaly like

And he could look forward to an earful from Stu and Leon... :laugh:

'what do you know about football you retard?'

by **bigmick** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:40 am

He seems like a really nice young fella to me. I also agree that form the sounds of it he'd be happy clappy, even allowing for the fact that he can hardly come out in an interview and moan that we've fecked it up with the draws

.

No, I like Torres a lot and not just because he's a truly great player. Like Alonso, he's a good man as well and it makes a difference.

by **Owzat** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:09 am

Sabre wrote:
- You can be a pessimist and think that we’ve been knocked out of the FA Cup and we’re struggling to win games, or you can be positive, which is what I do, and see that we’re in the race for the League title, in the last 16 of the Champions, and that collectively we’re doing better than past years. That’s my view.

If Torres decided to join newkit he'd be a happy clappy -- FACT.

I doubt footballers analyse half as much as we do, and if they were half as negative then it would affect their game bigtime. Perhaps that is the real difference between the mancs and the rest, their players know they'll come up with the goods and the squad is good enough, add a bit of diving, barracking refs and dirty fouling in just enough measure not to get sent off, but to gain advantage, and you've what makes champions these days.

They're winning at the moment without needing much contribution from Ronaldo and Rooney, maybe a significant difference from last season

by **Sabre** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:53 pm

bigmick wrote:He seems like a really nice young fella to me. I also agree that form the sounds of it he'd be happy clappy, even allowing for the fact that he can hardly come out in an interview and moan that we've fecked it up with the draws .

No, I like Torres a lot and not just because he's a truly great player. Like Alonso, he's a good man as well and it makes a difference.

Yes, however, sometimes it's nice to hear the things called by the right name.

Meaning, Newkit hasn't an english like the one I was taught at school, Ozzy is hospital, Here Here is actually hear hear, bezzie is best mate, and positive is known as happy clappy, while negative is known as realistic. :;):

I doubt footballers analyse half as much as we do

Why do you think that?, I actually think they analyse as much, and they seek to fix the problems they have in their profession. And they analyse with more and better info than we do.

Every player does assessments of the state of the club, and based on that, they decide to go somewhere else or to stay. Many players leave for bigger clubs when they see their careers are stuck. Fortunately Torres doesn't seem to be the case.

by **heimdall** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:27 pm

Sabre wrote:
bigmick wrote:He seems like a really nice young fella to me. I also agree that form the sounds of it he'd be happy clappy, even allowing for the fact that he can hardly come out in an interview and moan that we've fecked it up with the draws .

No, I like Torres a lot and not just because he's a truly great player. Like Alonso, he's a good man as well and it makes a difference.

Yes, however, sometimes it's nice to hear the things called by the right name.

Meaning, Newkit hasn't an english like the one I was taught at school, Ozzy is hospital, Here Here is actually hear hear, bezzie is best mate, and positive is known as happy clappy, while negative is known as realistic.

I doubt footballers analyse half as much as we do

Why do you think that?, I actually think they analyse as much, and they seek to fix the problems they have in their profession. And they analyse with more and better info than we do.

Every player does assessments of the state of the club, and based on that, they decide to go somewhere else or to stay. Many players leave for bigger clubs when they see their careers are stuck. Fortunately Torres doesn't seem to be the case.

Sabre I think you are crediting footballers with too much intelligence there. Sure some of them are bright, like Torres, Xabi, Stevie etc but some of them seem very dim indeed like Babel. I am sure for the majority of footballers it's their agents who decide when they move on much more than they do themselves.
If the majority of players analysed as much as we do then I'm pretty sure that a player like Babel should have analysed by now that it might be a good fecking idea to learn how to use his left foot occasionally. :angry:

by **Sabre** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 3:49 pm

Mind you Heimdall, footballers not being clever is a cliché, and even when they're not clever they often have someone close to him who is, so normally they're well aware of what's surrounding them.

As for us, Heimdall, I mean, you, me, Owzat, newkit, do you think our analysis is deep and clever? :laugh:

Look, IMHO we should eat some humble pie as football experts. Our footie conversations are often based on the quality of a player, on whether he's good enough or not. Some members around here are pretty good at that, and know to explain themselves with accuracy.

But, when it comes to the analysis of the game of football collectively, IMHO our analysis is poor at best, unexistant normally. I stress the "our" bit, because I consider my contribution part of that poor standard. I think that anyone thinking our analysis of the game is deep, needs some humillity. We all have to learn a lot about the game.

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