Posts written by Kat_Agger5

Monday sees Torres join up with Spain squad at the team´s headquarters in Las Rozas


The Liverpool number ‘9’ arrived in the Spanish capital as the World Cup winners begin their preparations for Wednesday’s friendly with Portugal in Lisbon. The return of the striker to the squad comes after Torres was forced to sit out Spain’s two 2012 European Championships victories against Lithuania and Scotland.

On Monday the Spanish Football Federation will pay homage to the World Cup winners. The federartion will also look to promote Spain’s and Portugal’s joint World Cup bid to host the 2018 event.

www.fernando9torres.com/index.php?p=4267

Fernando Torres played through pain barrier in effort to help Liverpool FC at Stoke


LIVERPOOL striker Fernando Torres has linked up with the Spain squad ahead of Wednesday’s international with Portugal despite picking up an ankle injury in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Stoke City.

The prolific frontman strained ligaments and will be assessed by the Spanish medical staff ahead of the friendly in Lisbon.

Anfield boss Roy Hodgson decided to leave Torres on after he suffered a kick at the Britannia Stadium but he couldn’t prevent Liverpool from slumping to their fifth league defeat of the campaign.

“I don’t think it’s too serious,” Hodgson said. “It was a nasty knock he took but he wanted to carry on. We offered him the chance to come off but he wasn’t interested in that.

“I didn’t want to take him off because you don’t want to take your goalscorer off when you need a goal. But I don’t think he was firing on all cylinders.

“I hoped he could run it off but he found it difficult to do so. We missed Fernando in the second half after the kick he took.”

Goals from Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones ended Liverpool’s six-game unbeaten run in all competitions and their misery was compounded by the dismissal of Lucas Leiva for a second yellow card late on.

Hodgson insisted he had no complaints about his players’ efforts.

“I’m obviously sad that a good run has come to an end,” Hodgson said. “It was always going to be a tough task because it’s a battle here. I always knew we would be hard pushed to win that battle.

“We came across a strong, energetic and aggressive Stoke team who gave us little time on the ball and were quick to pressurise. I thought we did okay in the first half. We dealt with the pressure of the throws, the corners and the long balls forward reasonably well.

“Stoke have a difficult style to deal with and when they scored it was an even bigger uphill battle. I wasn’t disappointed with the manner of their first goal because that’s the manner of most of the goals that are scored here.

“Their second goal was really a result of me throwing caution to the wind. We had already put a couple of forwards on and then we put Sotirios Kyrgiakos up front. They counter attacked and that cost us the goal that put the tin lid on the game. Our forwards would have had to do a little bit more for us than they were able to do if we were going to get anything out of the game. But the players stuck at it and did the best they could.

“They never threw the towel in and the longer the game went on the stronger we were getting.

“It would be a very unfair accusation that we lacked mental strength or courage. Our defending from so many of the throws and set plays proved that.

“We lost to a strong team who out-battled us in certain occasions.”

Asked how his side could go from defeating champions Chelsea to being outshone by Stoke six days later, Hodgson said: “Stoke is a totally different type of game than the games we’ve played in the last few weeks because of the way they set out to play.

“It posed certain problems and you can’t make comparisons.

“We’ve had a good run and played some good football. We know we’ve still got a lot of work to do.

“We need to get some players back to fitness and work at our game.”

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverp...534-27657666/2/

Torres injury a chance for Llorente to shine


The latest injury to Spain's Fernando Torres could hand his strike partner Fernando Llorente another chance to shine in Wednesday's friendly against neighbours Portugal.

The burly Llorente has an impressive seven goals in 12 appearances for the world and European champions and netted a double against Lithuania and the winner against Scotland in Euro 2012 qualifying last month.

Torres, who had a poor World Cup on his return from knee surgery, suffered an ankle ligament strain in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League defeat at Stoke City but would join up with the Spain squad in Madrid, Liverpool said on Sunday.

The match in Lisbon is also an opportunity for Portugal to avenge their World Cup last-16 defeat to the Spanish at the end of June, when striker David Villa scored the only goal in the 63rd minute.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque was widely praised for his decision to replace a weary-looking Torres with Llorente around a quarter of an hour into the second half in Cape Town.

His disruptive presence upset Portugal's concentration and he was involved in the move that led to Villa's winning goal.

Portugal coach Paulo Bento has Jose Boswinga available again following the Chelsea right back's recent return from a knee injury sustained in October 2009.

Appointed in September to replace the sacked Carlos Queiroz, Bento led his side to morale-boosting Euro 2012 qualifying wins over Denmark and Iceland last month that revived their stuttering campaign.

Portugal: 1-Eduardo; 4-Joao Pereira, 3-Pepe, 6-Ricardo Carvalho, 5-Fabio Coentrao; 16-Raul Meireles, 8-Joao Moutinho, 20-Carlos Martins; 17-Nani, 18-Hugo Almeida, 7-Cristiano Ronaldo.

Spain: 1-Iker Casillas; 15-Sergio Ramos, 3-Gerard Pique, 5-Carles Puyol, 11-Joan Capdevila; 8-Xavi, 16-Sergio Busquets, 6-Andres Iniesta, 20-Santi Cazorla; 7-David Villa, 19-Fernando Llorente.

http://af.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/i...lBrandChannel=0

A slight ankle strain fails to stop Torres joining up with Spain squad


A strong challenge on Fernando Torres during the second-half defeat away to Stoke City resulted in the forward sustaining a slight ankle ligament strain. Stoke defender Huth caught the Spaniard’s ankle in the 58th minute, and although Torres needed treatment on the touchline, the forward was soon back in action.

The injury picked up by forward is not serious enough to stop the number ‘9’ joining up with the Spain squad for the international friendly with Portugal on Wednesday.

An official statement on Liverpool FC’s website confirmed that the Spanish medical staff will further assess Torres’ injury ahead of the midweek match in Lisbon.

The friendly away to Portugal will be the Red Fury’s final match of an amazing 2010, a year which has seen Spain conquer the coveted World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.



www.fernando9torres.com/?p=4264

Reds confirm Torres injury


Liverpool have confirmed that Fernando Torres sustained ankle ligament damage during their 2-0 loss at Stoke City on Saturday.

The problem is only thought to be a strain and at the moment Torres is still set to link-up with Spain ahead of their international with Portugal next week.

Liverpool have already been in touch with Spain's medical team and they have confirmed he will travel to Lisbon next week.

A Liverpool statement read: "Fernando Torres sustained an ankle ligament strain during Saturday's clash with Stoke City - but the striker will still join up with the Spain squad for their international with Portugal.

"The Reds' medical team have been in contact with their Spanish counterparts to keep them up to date on the 26-year-old's condition.

"Torres will have the injury further assessed by the Spanish medical staff ahead of the friendly in Lisbon on Wednesday."

www.skysports.com

Fernando Torres should be fit for Liverpool's tie with West Ham, says Roy Hodgson


Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson hopes Fernando Torres will be fit to face West Ham next weekend despite another injury setback.

The Spain forward sustained an ankle problem in the 2-0 defeat at Stoke on Saturday, which ended Liverpool's six-match unbeaten run.

World Cup winner Torres has been hampered by injuries once again this season but had scored three goals in his previous two matches.

Torres struggled at the Britannia Stadium but wanted to play on despite the knock.

"We missed Fernando in the second half after the kick he took," Hodgson said. "He didn't want to come off and I didn't want to take him off because you don't want to take your goalscorer off when you need a goal. But I don't think he was firing on all cylinders.

"I don't think it's too serious. It was a nasty knock he took but he wanted to carry on. We offered him the chance to come off but he wasn't interested in that."

Liverpool slipped to a fifth Premier League defeat of the campaign and Hodgson admitted he was frustrated to see that run ended.

"We've had a good run and played some good football in that run," he said. "It was a different type of game to the games we've played because of the way Stoke are set up to play the game poses certain problems for any team that comes here.

"We're realistic, we know we've got a lot of work to do, we've got to get some players back to fitness, we'll keep working at our game and we're very sad to lose the game and the good run."

Liverpool supporters once again sang the name of title-winning former manager Kenny Dalglish as their side slipped to defeat.

But Hodgson insisted he is not too concerned about the reaction of the supporters after a difficult start to his Anfield reign. Asked if the singing disappointed him, he said: "I suppose it does. That seems to be part of the life at Liverpool and I think we're trying to do the best job we can in the circumstances.

"I don't know if that type of singing or chanting helps anybody but I didn't hear it and I'm sure there are lots of fans who sympathise with what we're trying to do."

Ricardo Fuller's third goal of the season gave Stoke the lead in the 56th minute and after Kenwyne Jones scored a second in the closing stages, Lucas was sent off for Liverpool.

The Brazilian midfielder will now miss the game against West Ham at Anfield next weekend.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/...oy-Hodgson.html

Liverpool boss Hodgson hopeful over Torres injury

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson felt an injury to Fernando Torres contributed to his side's 2-0 loss at Stoke but is hopeful the problem is not too bad.

Liverpool were chasing the game after Ricardo Fuller's opener when Torres took a kick, and they conceded another late on when Kenwyne Jones slotted in.

Hodgson said: "We missed Fernando Torres in the second half, he took a kick to the ankle and twisted it.

"But we have got a week [before their next game] and hopefully it's okay."

It was the first time for 26 years that Stoke had beaten Liverpool in the league and Hodgson felt his side failed to cope with their opponent's physicality and direct brand of football.

"It's the usual problem you have when you come here - dealing with the long throws, long balls forward into the box, the corner kicks and the strength and height and power of the Stoke team," he said.

"I thought we did very well for 55 minutes but once when conceded the goal, their tails were up and we had to take risks - so much so that we conceded a second goal when I'd pushed a centre-back to play as a centre-forward.

"You have to say it was a triumph for Stoke's way of playing and they got their rewards for it.

"Stoke are a very difficult team to beat here. Today they were particularly energetic and aggressive with their pressurising - they pressed us into making errors and didn't give us any time on the ball but that is what you would expect.

"You've got to be playing in very good form to get the ball down in those situations and I thought we didn't have the targets up front that we should have, especially after Fernando's injury in the second half.

"Fernando didn't want to come off and I didn't want to take him off but he was not firing on all cylinders.

"We offered him the chance to come off but he wasn't interested in that. I don't think it was too serious, if it had have been I don't think he would have carried on. But it was a nasty knock which he took on his ankle."

Stoke manager Tony Pulis, whose side moved out of the bottom three and up to 10th - a place above Liverpool on goal difference - felt his tactics were spot-on.

The important thing was to push up on Liverpool and stop them getting a rhythm in their passing and we really closed them down from the front," he said.

"I am very pleased with everyone in my team. In a three-game week when you have to play a top side at the end of that week it is always very difficult.

"I thought Kenwyne and Ricardo were very, very good today. And I was also pleased that we kept a clean sheet - we need to do that.

"We played really well. They had a spell of about 15 minutes but apart from that I thought we were well on top of it.

"We showed loads of passion, commitment and energy and they deserved their victory."



http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/e...rem/9187448.stm

Torres injury update


Liverpool have confirmed Fernando Torres sustained an ankle ligament strain during Saturday's clash with Stoke City - but the striker will still join up with the Spain squad for their international with Portugal.

The Reds' medical team have been in contact with their Spanish counterparts to keep them up to date on the 26-year-old's condition.

Torres will have the injury further assessed by the Spanish medical staff ahead of the friendly in Lisbon on Wednesday.

www.liverpoolfc.tv

The Red´s charge up the Premier League table is derailed by Stoke City


Liverpool’s recent impressive run was brought to a halt at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. The Reds found it hard to settle in a highly contested game which suffered many interruptions. Stoke City’s direct style of play caused the Reds several problems as the Potters secured a 2-0 win thanks to two second-half goals from Ricardo Fuller and Kenwyne Jones. - Premier League Table -

Fernando Torres was an island up front and the lack of service contributed to a frustrating afternoon for the Spaniard. Stoke City’s back-line also played their part marking the striker tightly. Very rarely was the forward not man-marked by defenders as the Potters looked to keep Torres under tabs.

For the visit to Stoke, Kyrgiakos returned to Hodgson’s starting line-up with Carragher moving to right-back to cover the absence of Glen Johnson, still recovering from injury. Kuyt and Torres were the two players furthest forward for the Merseysiders with Gerrard and Maxi up in support.

Stoke started the Premier League encounter with a very strong physical approach. The home side pressed Liverpool allowing the visitors very little time on the ball. The Potters main threat was coming from set-pieces and throw-ins.

A long throw-in from Delap caused havoc in the Red box, but luckily for Liverpool Reina managed to save his side with a good stop to deny Whitehead the first goal of the afternoon.

The visitors were struggling in attack, but a good piece of link-up play between Torres and Meireles ended with Gerrard shooting straight at Stoke’s keeper.

The sides reached half-time level, but unlike their opponents, Liverpool failed to find the net in the second-half.

Another long throw-in from Delap eventually fell to Fuller who put Stoke ahead from six yards out. The ball pinged around the six yard area before the forward managed to toe-poke it over the line.

Jones came close to doubling Pulis’ side’s lead with a fizzing drive that flew inches wide. And although Liverpool were not firing on all cylinders, Kuyt was denied by Begovic in the visitor’s best chance of the afternoon.

The Reds were caught out again in the final minute as Kenwyne Jones beat Reina with a low shot to seal a home win. Liverpool had pushed everyone forward in search of an equalizer, leaving them vulnerable at the back. The defeat at the Britannia Stadium leaves Liverpool in mid-table.


- Match Stats: Stoke 2-0 Liverpool

Stoke City: Begovic, Collins, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Etherington, Whitehead, Delap, Pennant; Fuller (Walters, 87), Jones

Booked: Fuller

Goals: Fuller 56, Kenwyne Jones 90

Liverpool: Reina; Carragher, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Meireles (Ngog, 66), Gerrard, Lucas, Maxi (Babel, 73) Kuyt, Torres

Booked: Torres, Leiva, Skrtel

Sent-off: Leiva 90

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