Torres Will Silence Critics, Says Roy

Roy Hodgson insists Fernando
Torres is fully focused on firing
Liverpool back to winning ways.
The striker was a shadow of his
normal deadly self in the goalless
draw with Birmingham on
Sunday.
But Hodgson has dismissed fears
that Torres has lost the appetite
to guide Liverpool back into the
top four.
He said: 'I'm afraid criticism is
something he will have to learn
to live with. We bear strong
expectations at this club and
everyone is interested in us.
'We fill newspapers and fill air
time. Everything that happens at
the club is put under a
microscope and that includes
player performances.
'Fernando Torres has no
problems with that. He's an
excellent player and is very much
committed and focused on this
season. It's very wrong for
people to read into his state of
mind from watching 90 minutes
of football.
'I think you'd have to be some
wonder psychologist to do that. I
can't watch a player and tell you
what state of mind he is in.'
Despite his backing for Torres
there is a chance he - and
captain Steven Gerrard - may not
start against Steaua Bucharest in
the Europa League tomorrow as
Hodgson admits he is looking to
utilise his squad, especially with a
trip to face Manchester United at
Old Trafford looming on Sunday.