Confident Torres pleads with Benitez to utilize him fully
By ANISunday, February 28, 2010
LONDON - Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, who has just recovered from knee and groin injuries, has urged boss Rafa Benitez not to wrap him in cotton wool.
Returning to action after six weeks, Torres has made it clear to his fellow Spaniard that he wants to be fully involved between now and the end of the season as the Reds fight desperately for a Champions League spot.
“Fernando wants to start games not just be used for 15 minutes or so at the end. He is absolutely confident of his fitness and he does not need to be protected any more. It is time for him to be fully involved,” News Of The World quoted a source close to Torres, 26, as saying.
“Rafa has been cautious with him, which is understandable, but, at this stage of the season, Fernando is willing to take any risk to help Liverpool finish in the top four.”
“There are only 11 games left and everybody at Liverpool knows time is running out. So if Fernando can play a major part in all the games and score important goals, he’s desperate to do that,” he added.
Benitez recognises the time has come for him to throw caution to the wind if Liverpool are to clinch the final Champions League place.
Yet he is still unsure how much of a gamble to take on Torres against Blackburn on Sunday. (ANI)
