Source: Daily_Mail
Fernando Torres will come good, insists Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson was forced to make a robust defence of Fernando Torres as the striker's away-day problems continued at St Andrew's. [LNB]The World Cup-winning Spaniard endured a miserable afternoon in Birmingham as he once more failed to score away from Anfield. [LNB]A man-of-the-match display from Pepe Reina spared Liverpool defeat as they scrapped to a goalless draw. [LNB]CLICK HERE FOR MATT LAWTON'S MATCH REPORT We the real Fernando Torres please stand up: The Liverpool striker struggled again against Birmingham[LNB]'I'm not at all concerned about Torres,' said Hodgson. 'I think he is working hard for the team.' [LNB]Torres's poor form means Hodgson remains unable to make in-roads on the race for the Barclays Premier League title. [LNB]Enlarge The £50m-rated striker has scored only once on an away ground since his injury-time winner against Aston Villa last December. That was against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March. And he again cut an isolated figure as Liverpool struggled to breach Ben Foster's goal. [LNB]Hodgson claimed: 'Torres is a constant thorn in the sides of defenders. [LNB]'I think you should give Birmingham defenders Scott Dann and Roger Johnson a lot of credit for making life difficult for him. We know that he lacks match.' [LNB]However, Torres's performance drew criticism from Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp, who said: 'For the first 45 minutes, he was terrible. He hasn't got hold of the ball, he hasn't chased, he's got frustrated, he could have been booked. [LNB]'He's been diabolical. He's shown no appetite for the game, he's looked frustrated, sloppy and lethargic.' [LNB]Birmingham manager Alex McLeish was full of praise for his midfielder Barry Ferguson after another classy display. [LNB]'Ferguson was fantastic,' said McLeish. [LNB] Enlarge 'He trains every day, is never on the treatment table, is just a dream to work with. [LNB]'When he plays the way he did today, you see he is a real top class player.' [LNB]McLeish added: 'We never took the chances, that is why we didn't win but I've got to be thrilled with the performance.' [LNB] Birmingham 0 Liverpool 0: Reina to the rescue as Roy's away pain continuesBirmingham 0 Liverpool 0: How the action unfolded at St Andrew'sRoy Hodgson calls for future owners to move Liverpool to new groundLIVERPOOL FC
