Jamie Redknapp: Torres shows shows no appetite, looks sloppy and lethargic

By: Sarah | September 12th, 2010

fernando-jose-torres-sanz

Perhaps hoping that Fernando Torres would continue his goal scoring streak, former Liverpool captain, Jamie Redknapp, was left disappointed by his performance today against Birmingham City. Torres, who has been recovering from a series of injuries, scored in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over West Brom and scored twice in Spain’s victory over Liechtenstein during the international break. Clearly disappointed, Jamie Redknapp spared no feelings when discussing the performance in his Daily Mail column.

Redknapp also had some strong words for Torres when speaking on Sky Sports, where he is a pundit…

Out there for 45 minutes he [Torres] has been terrible. He hasn’t got hold of the ball, he hasn’t chased, he’s got frustrated, he could have been booked. He’s been diabolical. I’m his biggest fan and I love seeing him. Of course you have to give [Roger] Johnson and [Scott] Dann credit but he’s shown no appetite for the game. He’s looked frustrated, sloppy, lethargic.”

Liverpool’s coach, Hodgson, defended Torres and praised Birmingham City’s players for effectively stifling Liverpool’s efforts.

I don’t share that opinion [of Redknapp]. He [Torres] is working hard for the team. As we saw towards the end of the game, he’s a constant thorn in the sides of defenders and I think you should give the defenders Dann and Johnson a lot of credit for making life difficult for him.

We know that he lacks match training. He missed matches at the end of last year and he missed matches during the World Cup. But I’m not at all concerned about Fernando Torres. He will get better and better as the season goes on and I believe that, whether or not we will be discussing this is a good season or a bad season, we will be doing that in May, we won’t be doing it at the beginning of September.

Regardless of how you feel about Jamie Redknapp as a player or pundit, he’s hardly the only one questioning Torre’s desire and commitment to the club. The press surrounding Torres has become increasingly intense the past year. Despite just returning to the team from a long injury layoff, there seems to be little patience for him to re-find his form. And, in some ways he seems to be receiving the bulk of the criticism for some poor overall team performances by Liverpool. While it’s true that Torres was an expensive purchase for the team and his past performances have earned (or cursed?) him with high expectations – surely he deserves more respect than this?

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Category: English Premier League

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Noel

He’s hardly the only one questioning Torre’s desire and commitment to the club

Not to quibble unnecessarily (which probably means I'm quibbling unnecessarily), but I would be interested in hearing of anybody who actually supports or follows Liverpool closely who is actually questioning his commitment to the club. Now, I might well be wrong, but I suspect if, say, you asked over at the Liverpool Offside blog, I wouldn't be surprised if the general consensus was that he's arguably the most loyal superstar in the game today. Given his history at Athletico, not to mention what he's said and done at his time in Liverpool, when he talks of putting the club back on top of England and Europe as being a beautiful dream that he wants to help make happen, I believe his sentiments to be heartfelt in a way I wouldn't coming from almost any other big name player.

If anything, his dedication to the club has probably hindered him at this point, contributing to his ongoing injury woes and the perception of his diminished value in the eyes of Redknapp or those supporters of other clubs who would cackle that he should just go back to Spain.

If he does leave next summer, it won't be for lack of loyalty, commitment, or desire to see Liverpool succeed--it will because nothing has changed behind the scenes and to stay would no longer show commitment but instead rank foolishness on par with the worst spoutings of the average English football pundit.
OffsideSarah

Here are just a few quotes from self-proclaimed LFC fans questioning Torres's commitment and loyalty to the club...

"I truely believe that Torres feels betrayed now that he's found out that all those leaked bids were for his purpose. Each week we fall behid Chelsea, we loose him mentally. I was hoping we could at least hang in there till Christmas. I am sure he looked at the line up and said WTF?"

"Torres is regretting joining Liverpool in the first place"

"The lack of effort on his part since the start of the season is the most alarming thing. He has given up closing down defenders when they have the ball. He looks like a man who is playing out his time at the club to be honest." - Irish Anfield

"I wonder why people on here have such a hard time with pundits/ex players have the gaul to criticise one of our current players, i understand if he was talking poo about Torres on THAT particular game but for me he was spot on" - LiverpoolFC.tv

Sorry that the top 2 aren't cited - I forgot to write it down. I remember watching twitter during the match and seeing some more dramatic/snarky comments - cooler heads seem to have prevailed since then (which is great to hear- hopefully Redknapp feels the same).

I thought Ed's piece on this event was fair: It would have been great if Torres had saved the day. Its understandable why he wasn't able to. Move on.

Ed's post is on the LFC blog here for those who haven't read it yet: http://liverpool.theoffside.co...
Noel

Honestly, I wouldn't take issue with the first two comments, and have said--or at least thought--similar at times. I'm not actually sure my earlier post says a whole lot different than the first one.

I suppose that could be read as questioning his commitment. I can see that take on it, especially when you put it as above. Perhaps if commitment to a club is to run around eagerly and nothing else, he is indeed lacking currently--it's either that or the fitness thing. Obviously I don't think that's what it is: I think he's shown a commitment to the club that in many ways the club--by way of its current custodians--hasn't shown him in return. So yes, I can see him feeling betrayed as new owners disappear and the club sets up to draw against bottom half teams and he doesn't get any service. Perhaps that's giving too much credit to a footballer as a human being, to accept the possibility of frustration at a shit situation you've gotten yourself into in part through what is in this day and age an unusual loyalty. Perhaps it is as simple as he's not being lively enough on the pitch, so he's not committed--end of, full stop.

And I don't mean that snarkily. I can see that argument in the modern game, with how much players get paid, and it certainly does fits one's expectations for the average mercenary.
Kdla3

wow. very classy of redknapp. how about jumping off the sinking ship that is Liverpool Torres? You won't win anything with the likes of Lucas and Poulson on that team.
OffsideSarah

Yes, no doubt class and tact are qualities Jamie inherited/learned from his father.
Sairax

Kinda harsh on Torres no? He was injured for like half the season last year and still managed 18 goals. Too much pressure on him, I think.
OffsideSarah

Blaming Torres for the loss and saying he has lost a desire to play for the team is harsh in my opinion. Some people have made the argument that if he isn't 100% fit then don't play him - but I don't think this a question of physical health so much as needing games to find form/rhythm. I think I read somewhere that an LFC trainer (or doctor) said it will take a few weeks until he finds his physical peak- but I don't think that means he is unfit.

Getting frustrated is understandable but hardly helps (that goes for Torres and fans).
kt

Big player at big club gets criticism for underperforming, what do you expect? And players at English clubs get far less flak for poor performances than elsewhere.
OffsideSarah

I think there is an argument to be made that English players at English clubs get far less flak for their poor performances. I definitely don't think its true for non-English players in the EPL.

And while its true that big players always bear the brunt of criticism - it doesn't always mean the criticism is fair. My point being, the whole team's performance wasn't stellar this weekend. f criticism is to be constructive then it should include all the players on the field this weekend. And that criticism should also be based on reasonable expectations- and (in my opinion) its unreasonable to expect Torres to play like he was at his peak given the vastly different circumstances (time off, long trip with Spain to Argentina etc).
kt

Don't think you can generalise like that, can think of several examples that don't comply to the xenophobia charge. And every player and journalist I've heard from abroad who's played in England says English crowds are much less critical than elsewhere.
OffsideSarah

True, particularly Liverpool crowds who are famous for single and cheering for their team even when they are losing. Compared to most countries, football in England is celebrated, lived and breathed in a way few can rival. Now, when foreign players are criticized-a lot times I don't think there is a malicious,xenophobic intent behind it. For me, its merely a case of most people in England having seen these (English) players grow and evolve since they were young-and even if they don't root for a particular club they often have a connection to particular players through the national team.

I think the comments made about Torres are more likely the result of high and unfair expectations by fans and media about what any human could accomplish. He's going to make mistakes and he can't save the day every game. If he has a bad game, its okay to say that- but no need to attach some greater meaning to his poor showing. I don't understand how someone can watch a player play and assume they know what he's feeling or how committed he is. It just seems like fans are worried about losing him and projecting their own insecurities (and somewhat lashing out with unfair criticism).
kt

You're right, particularly your last sentence and I imagine the affection for home grown is true everywhere, though the mystery of someone from elsewhere can make them even more appreciated (Cantona, Zola, Di Canio). There's a stew of emotions people feel about footballers: worship, envy, resentment, disgust, admiration, sometimes all about one person over the course of 90 minutes.
Dumitru86

he needs to go back to Spain.