Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has received a big boost today, with star striker Fernando Torres seemingly putting an end to nay speculation about his future by stating his loyalty to the club.
Torres’ future, along with the futures of Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano, has been the subject of much debate this summer. Liverpool reportedly rejected a bid from Chelsea, and there have also been links with Real Madrid and big-spending Manchester City, and though Liverpool hadn’t budged on their stance on their record signing, there was still about Torres’ commitment to the club.
Hodgson stated last week that Mascherano told him that he wanted to leave but that Torres wanted, but the 26-year-old hadn’t made any definitive comments about his future until speaking to Liverpool‘s official website.
Torres said, “I am really happy to be back, really happy to stay with all my teammates. My commitment and loyalty to the club and to the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
“From my first day I got the same welcome as Stevie [Gerrard] or Carra [Jamie Carragher] or players who have been here for a long time.”
“I felt at home from the first day, I feel the fans love me and everyone knows I am really happy here and really happy to play at Anfield. As I said earlier, I’m looking forward to starting the season and playing with my team-mates and for the fans.”
Torres also spoke of his appreciation of Hodgson’s visit while he was still on holiday in Spain, saying, “I really appreciated the fact that Roy came out to see me while I was on my holidays. He told me about his plans for the club and what he wanted from me and I appreciated that. I hope he will be the right man to reach the targets of Liverpool Football Club and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
He also spoke glowingly of new arrival Joe Cole, stating, “He is the kind of player I like to play with and the kind of player who can take the team to a higher level. His passing is unbelievable so hopefully he can start the season well because I am sure he will be a key player for us.”
Torres arrived from Atletico Madrid for a club-record fee in the summer of 2007, and he’s scored 72 goals in 116 appearances in his three seasons at Anfield.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
