Source: Daily_Mail
Jamie Redknapp: Fernando Torres is a class act but Liverpool No 9 MUST work harder
Charley Redknapp reckons Fernando Torres is brilliant. Two weeks ago, my son and I were both at Anfield and we had an audience with the Liverpool No 9: pictures, autograph, the full works. Torres was approachable, polite and kind. I came away thinking: 'He's a class act.' [LNB]On Sunday, watching the Birmingham match on live television for Sky, I offered a different opinion of Torres. I called his first-half performance 'diabolical'. [LNB]It's not a word I would normally use - and it's not one I would have taken too kindly to being used to describe some of my quieter performances - but I was frustrated with the way Liverpool were playing and, in particular, the lack of impact Torres was having on the excellent home defence. [LNB] Sinking feeling: troubled Torres looks a mere shadow of his former self [LNB]Roger Johnson and Scott Dann at the heart of Birmingham's back four haven't gone 17 games unbeaten at home by being leaky, but it was too easy for them to soak up Liverpool's attacking efforts and Torres wasn't troubling them enough. [LNB]How many times did he get in behind? None. That's not the Fernando Torres of old and I was simply making that point. He's better than that. [LNB]My job, both with Sky and Sportsmail, is to assess and analyse. I don't want to be a ranter. [LNB]He's slipped back in the pecking order for Spain, where he is now considered to be David Villa's sidekick after a poor World Cup. Villa was the second best of Spain's strikers, but he has gone to Barcelona. If Torres wants to reach that level, he has to work harder. He set the example with his work-rate. That was nothing like it. [LNB]Off the boil: Torres failed to make an impact against Birmingham[LNB]The long trip to Argentina to play in a friendly for Spain last week would not have helped, but I wonder if he is able to trust his body fully, which is perhaps why he isn't extending himself. He is still seeking that fitness which allows you to go flat out against your opponent. [LNB]When I was in a similar position, recovering from injuries, I remember playing and listening to comments that were made about my performances. It would sometimes make me say: 'That's bang out of order... don't they know I am playing with an injury?' [LNB]Part of my role now is to take that into account when judging a player - to give a fair reflection of their performance - and I try to do that. [LNB]I still feel close to Liverpool and sometimes, when I am watching them, I become frustrated at their lack of progress. That was true at Birmingham. I think the supporters have a right to expect more of Torres - and that's the point I was trying to make. We didn't see a first half that justified his reputation, or his value to Liverpool. [LNB]We are used to seeing work-rate and energy, defending from the front and working the defenders, playing on their shoulder and waiting to pounce. [LNB]Like Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler before him, Torres played with a relish and a desire. He would be the first line of defence, closing people down and setting the agenda for the rest of the team. [LNB] Back on track: Torres must get it right against Manchester United and bitter nemesis Nemnaja Vidic[LNB]It was an off day for him at Birmingham, that's for sure. And he can't afford too many of those, especially with Manchester United next. The supporters will be looking for him to set an example. And I know he likes to play against Nemanja Vidic, who must wake up having nightmares about past experiences against Torres at his best. [LNB]It's better for him to have 60 minutes of punishing intensity and then come off, rather than the 90 minutes of gentle football we saw at Birmingham. [LNB]Enlarge Liverpool don't have a plan B. They tried to sign Carlton Cole in the transfer window, just to give Torres some help, or some rest. [LNB]Dirk Kuyt is injured, but is used more on the right side now, rather than the centre forward they signed. David Ngog is still learning his game, while Ryan Babel needs to take his training-ground form on to the pitch. [LNB]Torres needs help, he needs chances created for him and he needs to rediscover his form and his goals. [LNB]Charley, who has just scored his first goals for Leatherhead Youth, says he will. So do I. [LNB]I hope we will be writing about the return of the real Fernando Torres soon. Starting against Manchester United.[LNB] Jamie Redknapp's Weekend Watch: Torres can't go through the motionsHodgson leaps to defence of misfiring Torres after striker stumbles againBirmingham and Liverpool see out tame draw at St Andrew's - as it happenedLIVERPOOL FC
