Source: PA
Hodgson hails matchwinner Torres
Roy Hodgson believes striker Fernando Torres is rediscovering the joy of football after receiving something of a battering over the last five months.
The 26-year-old scored only his second goal of the season in the 2-1 win at home to Blackburn but, crucially, it was the winner.
Rumours have been rife about the Spain international's happiness under the new regime at Anfield but Hodgson thinks other matters have been weighing him down.
"Fernando played well, an awful lot better. In my opinion that was his best performance for the team this season," said the Reds boss. "It is very nice when you have had a good performance and caused as many problems as he did and looked as likely to score as he did on so many occasions, that he actually got one and put it in the back of the net.
"He was very down when he came back from the World Cup; maybe people do get a bit down when they are constantly criticised left, right and centre. He obviously was affected by the amount of criticism he took during the World Cup and of course then the criticism which has come to the club and myself when we haven't produced the performances.
"I think maybe he is starting to come out of that and find the joy of playing again and re-find his energy and intensity."
