Hodgson Defends Poor Torres Form

Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that striker Fernando Torres is suffering from a lack of confidence. Torres has only scored once from his 10 Liverpool appearances this season and was a peripheral figure again as the Reds lost 2-0 at Everton on Sunday. "We don't have any injury problems with him," said Hodgson. "He got battered for his performances at the World Cup and I think mentally he is a bit low. He needs a goal or two to get his confidence back." Torres had a knee injury at the back end of last season and came into the current campaign following a groin problem he suffered after coming on as a substitute in Spain's win over the Netherlands in the World Cup final. But he has been a regular in the Liverpool side this season and played against Everton having gone off with an adductor muscle injury in the previous outing against Blackpool. Hodgson praised his efforts in the defeat by Merseyside rivals Everton, although a glanced header being tipped over and a late shot were the forward's only efforts on goal in a game in which he was starved of quality service. "I don't think that he is physically unfit," added Hodgson. "I think he showed that in the game as he did plenty of work and running around. "I would have no qualms about his performance against Everton."