Hodgson backs Torres

15 September 2010 16:30
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has dismissed speculation about Fernando Torres' state of mind after the striker was criticised on his last outing for the club. The Spain international had very few chances in Sunday's goalless draw at Birmingham and despite scoring three times in his previous two matches for club and country, that did not stop wild theories about the 26-year-old being unhappy and regretting his decision to remain at Anfield this summer. Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp labelled Torres' performance at Birmingham "diabolical" and claimed the player looked frustrated, but Hodgson was quick to reject that assessment out of hand. "He certainly isn't fed up. Criticism is something we have to live with," said Hodgson. "We bear strong expectations at this club and everyone is interested in us. We fill newspapers and airtime and of course everything that happens at the club is put under the microscope and that includes players' performances. "Fernando Torres has no problem with that. He is an excellent player. He is very much committed and focused on this season. "I think it is very wrong for people to read someone's state of mind from watching them play 90 minutes' football. You have to be some wonder psychologist to be able to do that. I can't watch a player play and tell you what state of mind he is in."

Source: PA