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Fernando Torres: Pain is no barrier when it comes to Manchester United
Andrew Hodgson26.10.09
Fernando Torres has admitted that he played through the pain barrier to fire Liverpool to a crucial 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
A groin injury limited Torres to just two light training sessions last week and he was only told on the team coach to Anfield yesterday that he would start the game.
The gamble by manager Rafael Benitez paid off handsomely, though, as Torres struck the opener and David Ngog added a late second to end a run of four straight defeats.
It was Torres's ninth goal of the season but he admitted: “I wasn't really at my best. We knew before the game I couldn't play to 100 per cent because I had some pain in some actions, but in games like this the pain doesn't matter. We knew before the game that we had to win and we did it.”
The Spain striker, who easily brushed off a challenge from Rio Ferdinand before beating United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar at the near post, added: “I feel a bit of pain when I shoot across so I could only shoot towards the near post — it was the only thing I could do.”
Nemanja Vidic was sent off for the third game in succession against Liverpool, who themselves had Javier Mascherano red-carded but United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was more unhappy that Jamie Carragher was not given a straight red for hauling down substitute Michael Owen in the second-half. Ferguson, who already has one touchline ban hanging over him after criticising referee Alan Wiley, felt Andre Marriner, yesterday's official, was not up to the job either.
He said: “It is a very difficult atmosphere here. There was a wounded animal aspect to the game and it was something we did not overcome.
“I think it affected our players and it affected the referee. There were so many controversial things that happened we have to feel aggrieved at some of them.”
Reader views (7)
Fact- The best team on the day won
Fact- Liverpool were more driven and better all over the pitch
Fact- Manchester United have been lucky that they have not dropped more points against the likes of Sunderland and Manchester City this season. I did not see any united fan complain (about the ref) about the amount of time added on at the end of the City/United game in which United got the winner.
Fact- Why dont Manchester United fans just admit they got what they deserved from the match.... nothing
Fact-
- Sanil Gopalan, London England
How dose it feel Utd we have to put up with this every game against you lot. Shut up the sweaty sock and get on with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Colin Stevens, USA
I'm a Liverpool fan, but fair play to Fergie, he did admit that Liverpool were the better side. I too was surprised that Carra did not get his marching orders, as I was by the referee's decision to allow the 'beachball' goal at Sunderland the week earlier.
We do need to eliminate errors by referees as far as possible, but the notion that a top class referee is intimidated at one particular ground seems a little fanciful, and was perhaps not meant too seriously.
- John C, Leatherhead, UK
Carragher got away with murder, should have been sent off. The ref was a complete joke, bottled it and was intimidated, as is the usual by the pool fans. Lets see how all you cockneys like it when your team are at the recieving end of it. I predict a change of tune, with the usual, we woz robbed.
- James, Manchester England
I think Fergie was justified to fume like that. It was an important game of the season to both clubs and non wanted to slip. What Carragher did was unacceptable and I dont know if it was a United player
- God Katsanga, Blantyre, Malawi
So, once again it's everybody's fault but Man Utd's.
I would just love to hear a referee quoted as saying that he thought maybe Alex was "a little too old and unstable to really cut it as a manager these days". Can you imagine the howls of outrage from Old Trafford?
Sadly, the FA will ignore this outburst and will impose the minimum punishment in respect of the Wiley incident.
I have to ask why, when a player is bought to book by the FA, they are given a couple of days to respond and then they are punished. This case is defered by a couple of week in the hope that it will be yesterday news when it is resolved and nobody will really care that he has only got a slapped wrist.
- Barry Chapman, Welwyn England
Why does no-one ever stand up to Ferguson? What a bully.
- Peter, London
