Source: Daily_Mail
HATCHET MAN: Torres is no toro, he's a whippet so bully-boy Pepe's threat to snuff out the 'big powe
Good news at last for Liverpool [LNB]fans. Steven Gerrard may not be completely fit and Rafael Benitez's future at the club remains uncertain but at least Real Madrid are ready to push the self-destruct button in the Champions League. [LNB]Their defender Pepe is, anyway. He seems to think he can bully Fernando Torres out of his team's last-16 first leg tonight as the Spanish side make progress towards the next round.[LNB]The Liverpool striker doesn't have the best of records against Madrid and Pepe has managed to convince himself he can prevent a change of fortune by going into battle.[LNB] [LNB]He loves a physical battle: But Pepe (left) will have to catch Fernando Torres first [LNB]But unless the bragging about his brawn was lost in translation, Pepe seems ready to give Liverpool and Benitez a stay of execution in a season which threatens to fall apart.[LNB]'I love going face-to face with a big powerful striker like Torres because I'm made to go clattering into challenges and there's nothing I enjoy better than massive physical battles,' he is reported to have said.[LNB] More from Hatchet Man... HATCHET MAN: There's nothing special about Mourinho any more - Inter looked second-rate against United[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Memo to Martin O'Neill - You're either a poor manager or Aston Villa are a poor side[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Carling Cup Final boost for Spurs as worse Brazilian keeper than Gomes unearthed in Spain[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Unprofessional Toure should be told: This is the Champions League, not the Sunday League[LNB]25/02/09 HATCHET MAN: I need Arshavin because Arsenal are not good enough to win the Champions League without him - desperate Wenger rages at 'unfair' cup-tied rule[LNB]24/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Big Sam wants justice for Ronaldo's kick at Dunn - but only if it benefits Blackburn and nobody else whatsoever[LNB]24/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Bellamy heals the Robinho 'rift' by insisting: You just need to play a lot better, that's all[LNB]24/02/09 HATCHET MAN: Villa boss O'Neill has eight days to prove he's a great manager or watch his dream fade and die[LNB]24/02/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE[LNB] Is he talking about the same Torres, Liverpool's tall but moderately built striker who relies on his speed and guile rather than his frame to out-manoeuvre defenders?[LNB]Trying to smash up Liverpool's goalscorer is about the last thing he should be considering unless he wants to be made to look a fool as Liverpool chalk up enough away goals to see them through to the quarter finals. It would play right into Torres' hands.[LNB] [LNB]
