Ferdinand: Even Unfit Torres A Big Threat

Manchester United's Rio
Ferdinand insists that Liverpool
striker Fernando Torres
remains a potent force.
Torres has scored just once this
season and he looks the shadow
of the player who has bagged
over 50 league goals in his
previous three campaigns at
Anfield.
But Ferdinand, who will line up
against Torres at Old Trafford on
Sunday, cannot fathom why the
Spaniard is being criticised so
much, and insists he is still a
world-class striker.
"I heard the pundits hammering
Torres the other night," said
Ferdinand.
"He's been injured for a long
period of time and is just on his
way back. You can't expect him
to be the same straight away.
"People jump on the bandwagon,
but players get injuries. Torres is
a great player and he's proved
that to everybody.
"Two months ago everyone was
saying what a world-class player
he is and how he was one of the
best strikers in the world, so to
become a bad player overnight
just doesn't happen.
"I'm under no illusions that I'll be
coming up against a top-class
player. You would expect him to
produce a world-class
performance. But I'll be going
into the game with no
apprehension.
"You never look back. If you did,
you wouldn't be a top player. You
have to look forward and just
think about the game you're
playing that day. It's pointless
thinking 'I should have done this
or that'. It's in the past.
"Liverpool is a big match for the
fans. It's one they look forward
to most. If there's anything to
galvanise the local people and
the team, it's a game against
Liverpool. It's always testy and
fiery."