Daniel Agger believes it is unfair to make Fernando Torres the scapegoat for Liverpool's poor form during the first half of the season.
Agger claims it was difficult for Torres to shine for the Reds because the entire team was off colour before his £50million move to Chelsea, but he has confidence in Andy Carroll to make an impact as his replacement when fit to start playing after his £35million switch from Newcastle.
The Danish international said: "Why has Torres been so poor? That is a big question isn't it? How to explain that. But look at the team. We played awful and he is a part of the team so, when everyone is playing well...normally he plays a lot better."
He added: "It is the same for everybody, for me, for Stevie (Gerrard), it is the same.
"When the team are performing, when you look at every single player, they are playing better. But when we are losing, when everybody is on top of us, everybody is playing bad."
Agger does concede that all big name players have to show more responsibility when a team is struggling.
He said: "That is how it should be. Even with Denmark there are some players who have to take bigger responsibility.
"It is the same in all walks of life. That is how things are. It is the same in football. We are not that different."
Agger is hoping that Carroll and Luis Suarez can help Liverpool maintain their current momentum.
He said: "It is a big, big gap (Torres) for Andy Carroll to fill but he has shown he can score goals at the top level. We will have to wait until he is fit but hopefully Andy and Luis will be great signings for us because that will be another thing which will help us towards our targets."
Source: PA
