Confident Torres pleads with Benitez to utilize him fully
February 28th, 2010 - 1:42 pm ICT by ANI
London, Feb. 28 (ANI): Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who has just recovered from knee and groin injuries, has urged boss Rafa Benitez not to wrap him in cotton wool.
Returning to action after six weeks, Torres has made it clear to his fellow Spaniard that he wants to be fully involved between now and the end of the season as the Reds fight desperately for a Champions League spot.
“Fernando wants to start games not just be used for 15 minutes or so at the end. He is absolutely confident of his fitness and he does not need to be protected any more. It is time for him to be fully involved,” News Of The World quoted a source close to Torres, 26, as saying.
“Rafa has been cautious with him, which is understandable, but, at this stage of the season, Fernando is willing to take any risk to help Liverpool finish in the top four.”
“There are only 11 games left and everybody at Liverpool knows time is running out. So if Fernando can play a major part in all the games and score important goals, he’s desperate to do that,” he added.
Benitez recognises the time has come for him to throw caution to the wind if Liverpool are to clinch the final Champions League place.
Yet he is still unsure how much of a gamble to take on Torres against Blackburn on Sunday. (ANI)
- 'On fire' Torres will prove why he is called Europe's deadliest finisher: Benitez - Mar 27, 2010
- Benitez will be lame duck boss if Liverpool loses to ManU - Oct 25, 2009
- Torres to quit if Liverpool fails to finish in top four - Dec 27, 2009
- Torres vows not to let Spain down again - Jun 21, 2010
- Benitez's six-year-rule with Liverpool ends with a sack - Jun 03, 2010
- Rafa says Torres as valuable as Rooney - Mar 20, 2010
- Torres fears chronic long-term injuries in England - Apr 25, 2010
- Real Madrid may bid 30-million pounds for unhappy Gerrard - May 07, 2010
- Torres is worth 70, not 50 million pounds: Benitez - Feb 05, 2011
- Benitez to play injured Gerrard, Torres against Birmingham - Nov 09, 2009
- Liverpool coach Rafa says Torres hitting peak fitness - Sep 28, 2009
- Liverpool boss Rafa says Torres too priceless to be put up for sale - Sep 29, 2009
- Liverpool eyeing Sunderland striker Jones as back up for injured Torres - Jan 16, 2010
- Benitez asks Liverpool to win every game to grab a Champions League spot - Apr 05, 2010
- Liverpool ready to buy Eduardo for 10-mn pound - Nov 15, 2009
Tags: 15 minutes, benitez, blackburn, boss, caution to the wind, cotton wool, fellow, fernando torres, final champions league, fitness, games, groin injuries, liverpool, london feb, news of the world, reds, risk, six weeks, striker