FERNANDO TORRES has urged Liverpool’s owners to show their faith in Rafa Benitez by giving him the cash to help revive the club’s flagging fortunes.
The Liverpool striker was yesterday told he requires surgery to rectify the knee problem which forced him off during Wednesday’s demoralising FA Cup defeat against Reading.
It was the last thing he, Benitez or Reds’ supporters wanted to hear but one thing that did make for easy listening was Torres’ challenge to Tom Hicks and George Gillett.
Torres is the first player to break ranks and speak out on Liverpool’s boardroom problems and it is hugely significant he has aired his concerns.
Having grown frustrated at seeing Chelsea, Manchester United and several top clubs in Europe compete at the top end of the market, Torres wants to see Liverpool do the same.
“It’s now the owners’ turn,” Torres, who faces a six-week lay-off, declared. “They have to sign players so that this does not happen again.
If we want to compete with United and Chelsea we need a much, much more complete squad. We need more genuinely first class players and can’t let our best players leave.”
Torres is unlikely to be back in action before the end of February but hopes by the time he returns, Liverpool will be in the last 16 of the Europa League – a competition he feels they must win to make amends for a wretched campaign.
“We didn’t want to win the Europa League at the start of the season but it’s a reality now,” said Liverpool‘s leading scorer.
“Now we have to win it. Anything less than winning the tournament would be terrible.
“If we do not win it then we have to say it’s been a very, very, very bad season in Europe.
“We need to improve, we need to take responsibility and we need to get into the top four and win something. We need to make the best of this situation.”
Aside from missing Torres, Liverpool will also be without Steven Gerrard (hamstring) and Yossi Benayoun (fractured ribs) as they bid to bounce back to life against Stoke City tomorrow.
Under-fire boss Rafa Benitez knows options are limited but he is hoping to unleash new signing Maxi Rodriguez, who will be involved if his international clearance comes through.
Benitez will also be able to call upon Javier Mascherano, who has served a four-match suspension following his red card at Portsmouth on December 19 and has recovered from damaging his medial ligaments.
“Javier has been training well and will be involved,” said Benitez, who knows nothing other than a victory at the Britannia Stadium will do.
“It will be good to have him back and he will give us options.”
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