Torres optimistic on facing United and Real Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is hopeful he will be fit for the club’s crucial clashes in Europe and at home in the next 10 days. The Spaniard has also dismissed his manager’s suggestion that his injuries have cost Liverpool this season. The Reds take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie looking to progress with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg at the Bernabeu. They then face Manchester United in the Premier League in a match they have to win to have any hope of catching their bitter north-west rivals. Torres has not played since he suffered an ankle injury in that Madrid victory, but revealed tonight he is optimistic about returning next week. “I hope to be available for both of the matches because they will be two great games,†he said in a webchat on his personal site fernando9torres.com. “The ankle injury has been giving me some trouble and the recovery process is taking longer than I hoped. “However, I am quite optimistic that I will be ready for the match versus Real Madrid, and if the ankle holds out, I will also be at Old Trafford.†Rafael Benitez pointed to his absence as the reason Liverpool’s challenge has faded of late, but the striker doesn’t see it like that. “I don’t think that I’m to blame for the injuries, it forms part of the game,†he said. “I have suffered three muscular injuries during the first three months of the competition, and now I have picked up an ankle injury. “I don’t think that my injury should be considered as a reason for Liverpool not winning the league. “Although following a couple of poor results we have lost touch with Manchester United at the top, the team has done well this season. The league though is still alive, but Man United are looking strong and they are not dropping points.†The Spain has in the past warned if Benitez goes he won’t be far behind but he appears to have changed that stance, though he hopes his manager will sign a new deal soon. “My future is tied with Liverpool, because I still have four years left to run on my contract,†he added. “Therefore, should Rafa leave, I will stay on and fulfil my contract with the club. My wish is that Rafa extends his contract with Liverpool. “I cannot think about how a possible departure might affect me, because it hasn’t happened yet, and I don’t like wasting time thinking about ifs and buts.†Reading between the lines, does he think Rafa is on his way?
you dont know the questions that were put to him so its hard to read into it... question could of simply been. will you stay at liverpool if rafa leaves? doubt it he would of just mentioned the possibility of rafa leaving off his own back
Rafael Benitez pointed to his absence as the reason Liverpool’s challenge has faded of late, but the striker doesn’t see it like that. “I don’t think that I’m to blame for the injuries, it forms part of the game,†he said. “I have suffered three muscular injuries during the first three months of the competition, and now I have picked up an ankle injury. “I don’t think that my injury should be considered as a reason for Liverpool not winning the league. Surprised not more has been made of this. Perhaps Torres wasnt thrilled that his injuries were being used as the latest excuse by the manager for our shortcomings since the start of January.