Source: Liverpool_Echo
Roy Hodgson: Liverpool FC star Fernando Torres is no cheat
Fernando Torres 300[LNB]ROY HODGSON has hit back at Alex Ferguson over the Fernando Torres affair - as Dirk Kuyt prepares to make a shock first team return.[LNB]Liverpool return to Premier League action today and Hodgson is debating whether to pitch the Holland international back into the fray just 19 days after damaging his shoulder ligaments.[LNB]Torres will be in the starting line-up that takes on Sunderland at Anfield and Hodgson has rubbished Ferguson's ludicrous claim that the striker made the most of a challenge from John O'Shea last week to get the Manchester United defender sent off.[LNB]Though some fans will have worried that Ferguson's comments will pray on the mind of referees, Hodgson does not believe that will be the case and he says it would be ridiculous for anyone to label Torres as a cheat.[LNB] What's more, he has turned the spotlight on Manchester United winger Nani, who spent much of the 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford indulging in amateur dramatics.[LNB]'Alex is a good friend of mine and knows how to use the mass media and he's used it very well there,' said Hodgson. 'He might have used it to deflect from Nani who - certainly on one or two occasions - was playing for fouls in our opinion so I'm not concerned about that at all.[LNB]'Fernando Torres is not a cheat. He has proved that time and time again. He is a very respected player, he is strong and takes players on. He is not easy to stop and he is going to get fouls like he did for the equalising goals.
