Source: Daily_Mail
'Overlooked' Torres desperate to reign in Spain with Liverpool
The chaotic scenes at Madrid's Barajas Airport may have suggested otherwise, but Fernando Torres is adamant that recognition continues to elude him in his home country.[LNB]The baggage handlers recognised him, all right, as they swarmed round him the second his foot touched the tarmac after a two-hour flight from Liverpool[LNB]. [LNB]Even their flourescent lime jackets didn't stand out as much as the former Atletico Madrid striker as one after another thrust an autograph book under his nose or draped an arm round his shoulder for a photograph, each request met with the usual shy smile.[LNB][LNB] Red alert: Torres is keen to prove his worth to Spanish football fans who overlook his talents because he plays in England and not for Barcelona or Real Madrid[LNB]His looks clearly helped the identification process, but last summer's European Championship final winning goal must surely have played a part as well, ahead of tonight's Champions' League meeting with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.[LNB]Liverpool's record £21million signing does not see it that way and admits to being irked that, in terms of acknowledging his emergence as one of the game's most accomplished front-runners, Spain still lags behind his adopted home in England.[LNB]He should be the last player with a point to prove after taking the Barclays Premier League by storm last season and rounding it off with the goal that gave Spain their first major success in over 40 years.[LNB] Real Madrid v LIVERPOOL: Alonso available for Reds boss Rafa [LNB]High five! Real Madrid chief Boluda forecasts hammering Liverpool [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB][LNB]There remains a sense of injustice at the legacy of growing up in the Bernabeu's shadow, though, and it promises to make Liverpool's already-intriguing last 16 first leg showdown all the more compelling, particularly as he blames the Barcelona-Real duopoly for his apparent snub.[LNB]'If you don't play for Real or Barca, then people in Spain just don't rate you as highly,' he said. [LNB]'That's just how it is, and it still applies, even though I have moved to England. I think it is still the case that some people just look at me as an Atleti.[LNB] Eyes on the prize: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard looks on as Torres keeps his focus in training[LNB] 'But the fact is, becoming a Liverpool player has given me the chance to show I have arrived as a player. Now I want to prove that to a full house at the Bernabeu.[LNB]'On the face of it, Real are a huge team who are always in contention in Europe, and it is the same this season. But over the past few years, we have proved a tough ask for any opponent in this competition.[LNB]'Real will not be relishing playing us, because over two games, we are very difficult to beat. We are one of the hardest sides to beat in these ties, because we have a coach, in Rafa Benitez, who plans games perfectly and we are dangerous when there is space to attack.[LNB]'Rafa has seen everything and knows how to make sure we control these games and win them. [LNB]'It has happened so often, no-one likes coming up against us in Europe. There has been talk of him feeling some pressure, but, believe me, he isn't. He is focused solely on getting us past Real.'[LNB]The Iberian galacticos may be used to playing in front of 80,000 at the Bernabeu but are still in for a shock when they visit Anfield, according to Torres.[LNB]'There is nothing like playing at Anfield, particularly on big European nights,' he said.[LNB] 'There isn't another ground in the world like it, certainly not the Bernabeu. [LNB]'While the Bernabeu is a great stadium that will impress our fans, the atmosphere will be no match for Anfield in a couple of weeks' time.[LNB] Centre of attention: Fernando Torres takes a break in training at the Bernabeu with his Liverpool team-mates[LNB]'It is good that we have home advantage for the return leg, because small details could decide the outcome and the backing we get from our crowd gives us so much confidence.'[LNB]While Torres put down a marker for Liverpool's quarter-final prospects, it hardly compared with the way Real president Vicente Boluda talked up his side's chances under former Tottenham[LNB]manager Juande Ramos. [LNB]Shipping tycoon Boluda, who faces a vote of confidence over his position next month, is backing Real to win both legs and breeze through 5-1 on aggregate.[LNB]'I am expecting a great game here at the Bernabeu, and I believe it will finish 3-0 in our favour,' bragged the 55-year old.[LNB] 'And we will win at Anfield as well, this time by a 2-1 margin. Liverpool will have to play a more open game at home, and we will engulf them.[LNB]'I said a few weeks ago that we would win La Liga and I still believe we will overhaul Barcelona. And we are going to win the Champions' League, too. [LNB]'Juande is a great coach who has my total support, and I would be delighted if he signed a new deal with us. [LNB]'If we win a trophy, as I believe we will, his contract will be renewed automatically, anyway.'[LNB] Real Madrid v LIVERPOOL: Alonso available for Reds boss Rafa [LNB]High five! Real Madrid chief Boluda forecasts hammering Liverpool [LNB]LIVERPOOL FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE WEB[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
