Torres takes aim at our owners.

[Bogman]

Torres: Liverpool must win the Europa League – and spend

442 Staff - 3 hours ago

 

 

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes the Reds must win the Europa League and secure a top four finish if they are to salvage their season – and has challenged the club’s owners to splash the cash or get left behind.

 

A shock defeat to Championship strugglers Reading in the FA Cup on Wednesday added to a succession of disappointments this term for the Anfield outfit, who have already been eliminated from both the League Cup and Champions League and lie 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

 

NEWS: Long leaves Liverpool season in tatters

 

But more importantly, Rafael Benitez’s side trail Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the fight for fourth place, with failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League the primary concern on Merseyside.

 

And talisman Torres insists that finishing fourth and triumphing in Europe’s secondary competition is the only way the ailing Reds can save their struggling season.

 

"We didn’t want to win the Europa League at the start of the season but it’s a reality now," he told FourFourTwo.

 

"Now we have to win it. Anything less than winning the tournament would be terrible.

 

“If we do not win it then we have to say it’s been a very, very, very bad season in Europe.

 

"We need to improve, we need to take responsibility and we need to get into the top four and win something. We have virtually no chance of winning the title now.

 

“Now we need to make the best of this situation."

 

 

Torres has seen his own season hampered by a thigh injury in recent months, and he was withdrawn after just 29 minutes against Reading with a knee problem that will keep him out until March.

 

But it's the team's stumbling progress that is causing Torres the most pain.

 

 

 

“It’s frustrating. We finished second last season; this season should have been a turning point for us – the chance for us to do something great.

 

"Manchester United sold Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Chelsea didn’t sign anyone. But it hasn’t been."

 

 

Now Liverpool's No.9, who saw former Atletico Madrid mate Maxi Rodriguez join the Reds on a free transfer on Wednesday, has called on the club’s owners to dig deep and back Benitez to ensure Liverpool are back challenging on all fronts next season.

 

BLOG: Will Maxi be born again at Anfield?

 

 

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

“They have to sign players so that this does not happen again. If we want to compete with United and Chelsea we need a much, much more complete squad. We need more genuinely first class players and we can’t let our best players leave.”

 

Fernando Torres was speaking to FourFourTwo for next month's Strikers Issue, on sale January 23.

 

 

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[PaulMcC]

Mad that him and Reina are the 2 players giving the owners grief.

[aws]

Let's hope he doesn't end up fighting this cause alone.

[zigackly]

Let's hope he doesn't end up fighting it somewhere else.

[Unrighteous]

I've got a very bad feeling about this...

[TheHowieLama]

Torres: Liverpool must win the Europa League – and spend

442 Staff - 3 hours ago

 

 

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes the Reds must win the Europa League and secure a top four finish if they are to salvage their season – and has challenged the club’s owners to splash the cash or get left behind.

 

A shock defeat to Championship strugglers Reading in the FA Cup on Wednesday added to a succession of disappointments this term for the Anfield outfit, who have already been eliminated from both the League Cup and Champions League and lie 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Chelsea.

 

NEWS: Long leaves Liverpool season in tatters

 

But more importantly, Rafael Benitez’s side trail Manchester City, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur in the fight for fourth place, with failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League the primary concern on Merseyside.

 

And talisman Torres insists that finishing fourth and triumphing in Europe’s secondary competition is the only way the ailing Reds can save their struggling season.

 

"We didn’t want to win the Europa League at the start of the season but it’s a reality now," he told FourFourTwo.

 

"Now we have to win it. Anything less than winning the tournament would be terrible.

 

“If we do not win it then we have to say it’s been a very, very, very bad season in Europe.

 

"We need to improve, we need to take responsibility and we need to get into the top four and win something. We have virtually no chance of winning the title now.

 

“Now we need to make the best of this situation."

 

 

Torres has seen his own season hampered by a thigh injury in recent months, and he was withdrawn after just 29 minutes against Reading with a knee problem that will keep him out until March.

 

But it's the team's stumbling progress that is causing Torres the most pain.

 

 

 

“It’s frustrating. We finished second last season; this season should have been a turning point for us – the chance for us to do something great.

 

"Manchester United sold Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Chelsea didn’t sign anyone. But it hasn’t been."

 

 

Now Liverpool's No.9, who saw former Atletico Madrid mate Maxi Rodriguez join the Reds on a free transfer on Wednesday, has called on the club’s owners to dig deep and back Benitez to ensure Liverpool are back challenging on all fronts next season.

 

BLOG: Will Maxi be born again at Anfield?

 

 

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

“They have to sign players so that this does not happen again. If we want to compete with United and Chelsea we need a much, much more complete squad. We need more genuinely first class players and we can’t let our best players leave.”

 

Fernando Torres was speaking to FourFourTwo for next month's Strikers Issue, on sale January 23.

 

 

Follow FFT.com on Twitter

Join FFT.com on Facebook

 

 

There is no way he gave that interview to a print mag due on the shelves in 10 days AFTER the Reading game, great timing for them to release it though.

[Hermes]

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

Err, when are the players and manager having their turn? Responsibility and accountability Nando. The players and others need to stop looking to shift the blame and get their own house in order. Then and only then they can look to deficiencies in others.

[ZonkoVille77]

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

Err, when are the players and manager having their turn? Responsibility and accountability Nando. The players and others need to stop looking to shift the blame and get their own house in order. Then and only then they can look to deficiencies in others.

 

This...

[King Gheedorah]

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

Err, when are the players and manager having their turn? Responsibility and accountability Nando. The players and others need to stop looking to shift the blame and get their own house in order. Then and only then they can look to deficiencies in others.

 

Yep.

 

 

That goes for Carra's half-hearted apology warble as well. Sort it out on the pitch. And have some fucking trust in your team mates instead of hoofing the ball and hoping for the best.

[Trucker Paddy]

I love Gerrard as a player and hes the best player I've seen in a red shirt, but he really should be speaking out against the owners rather than leaving it to torres and Reina, he's had oppurtunities and never spoken out about the club he's the captain of been raped.

[Redder Lurtz]

There is no way he gave that interview to a print mag due on the shelves in 10 days AFTER the Reading game, great timing for them to release it though.

 

Very good point. They've spliced last night's facts with a previous interview there which is shifty as fuck.

 

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

Err, when are the players and manager having their turn? Responsibility and accountability Nando. The players and others need to stop looking to shift the blame and get their own house in order. Then and only then they can look to deficiencies in others.

 

Best post I've read all day.

[Hermes]

I love Gerrard as a player and hes the best player I've seen in a red shirt, but he really should be speaking out against the owners rather than leaving it to torres and Reina, he's had oppurtunities and never spoken out about the club he's the captain of been raped.

 

As I said - "We've done our bit, now we need your support to go one step farther" has more impact than "We're crap at our job, you need to get your finger out".

[King Gheedorah]

I love Gerrard as a player and hes the best player I've seen in a red shirt, but he really should be speaking out against the owners rather than leaving it to torres and Reina, he's had oppurtunities and never spoken out about the club he's the captain of been raped.

 

The two Spanish lads have certainly got the balls to come out and say something against the owners. Shame about the two local lads who happen to be our captains.

[redinoz]

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

Err, when are the players and manager having their turn? Responsibility and accountability Nando. The players and others need to stop looking to shift the blame and get their own house in order. Then and only then they can look to deficiencies in others.

 

TORRES

"We need to improve, we need to take responsibility and we need to get into the top four and win something. We have virtually no chance of winning the title now.

 

“Now we need to make the best of this situation."

 

 

Pretty sure he's taking some responsibilty there at least.

[Curly]

“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres insisted.

 

Err, when are the players and manager having their turn? Responsibility and accountability Nando. The players and others need to stop looking to shift the blame and get their own house in order. Then and only then they can look to deficiencies in others.

 

Repsville, Tennessee

[Guest Numero Veinticinco]

I'm very disappointed in this thread after such a promising title, I was hoping to see something like this...

 

 

[milky]

Fucking typical. Happened to see Sky's preview of the morning papers, and two of them are running with the headline;

 

'Torres Warns Owners; Buy Big Or I Quit'

 

Quelle suprise eh?

[Funkasy]

looks like the Spanish players have bigger balls then the English.

 

(picture of balls)

[Liverpool lad]

Kuyt took aim at the owners but missed

[zico]

Fucking typical. Happened to see Sky's preview of the morning papers, and two of them are running with the headline;

 

'Torres Warns Owners; Buy Big Or I Quit'

 

Quelle suprise eh?

 

You can omagine it's flag raising day in Texas....

 

"You did it dad, you were right, if we starve of the investments the stars will demand to leave and we can get lot's of money for them and there is nothing the fans can say :)

[Guest simon]

Papers twisting this. This morning.

[Dr.Filth]

The two Spanish lads have certainly got the balls to come out and say something against the owners. Shame about the two local lads who happen to be our captains.

 

Spot on.

 

Hopefully this will shame them into growing a set. I won't hold my breath though.