Dalglish Full Of Support For Torres, So Are We!

Kenny Dalglish has hit back at
comments by Jamie Redknapp
that Fernando Torres was
'diabolical' during Liverpool's
goalless draw with Birmingham
City.
Torres, along with his team
mates, was guilty of misfiring at
St Andrews yesterday which
prompted former Reds skipper
Redknapp to accuse him of
being sloppy and lacking
appetite.
Redknapp was Dalglish's last
signing as Liverpool manager in
1991 but the Kop legend, 59,
has responded to his former
player turned TV pundit
by launching a passionate
defence of the striker, whom he
claims had a 'bad day at the
office' following a difficult injury
spell.
"I don't think Fernando would
think it was one of his better
games but certainly he came as
close as anybody in that
Liverpool team to score a goal,"
he said.
"He's been through a lot; he had
a lot of injuries last year and
even in the World Cup final he
was injured. He's come back
this year and I think he's only
played two or three games but
he scored the winner against
West Brom.
"He might have had a bad day
but he's not a bad player.
There's no one anywhere who
wouldn't have him in the side.
"It might have been a bad day
at the office for Fernando but
he's a really good guy, a real
quality player and I'm sure he'll
be looking forward already to
Manchester United on Sunday.
He's not got a bad record
there."
Dalglish, speaking at a charity
event in London, also urged
supporters to be patient with
Roy Hodgson and believes that
that Rafael Benitez deserves
respect for his achievements at
Anfield despite his departure in
June being best for all
concerned parties.
He added: "Liverpool fans are
realistic but they're very
supportive as well. Sometimes
people would say they put up
with a lot.
"I don't know whether they
take that as a compliment or
people criticising them but they
do have to be patient because
it's a transitional period for the
club. Roy's come in and he's a
really really good guy who's well
respected.
"Rafa's unfortunately gone to
new pastures but I think it was
right for both parties that it
happened. Sometimes you
know when you've got to go
and for Rafa's sake it was a
good a choice as it was for the
club.
"He might have walked away
with a heavy heart but he'll
never walk away without a
great deal of respect, because
people remember that he won
the European Cup and the FA
Cup and they'll appreciate him
for what he did for the club."