Roy Hodgson Hits Back At Redknapp

Roy Hodgson has hit out at Jamie Redknapp for comments he made about Fernando Torres during the match with Birmingham City at the weekend.

Redknapp, who played at Anfield between 1991 and 2002, is now a pundit for Sky and he hit out at the Spanish striker for his performance in the match as he criticised his body language and claimed that the player looked disinterested.

It's been a slow start to the season from Liverpool and a 0-0 draw with Birmingham only earnt them a point but Hodgson, who arrived at the club this summer, defending his player.

Speaking to The Sun Hodgson hit back at the former Liverpool player saying: "It is very wrong for people to read someone's state of mind from watching them play 90 minutes' football.

"You have to be some wonder psychologist to be able to do that. I can't watch a player and tell you what state of mind he is in.

"Fernando certainly isn't fed up. Criticism is something we have to live with. We bear strong expectations at this club and everyone is interested in us.

"We fill newspapers and airtime and, of course, everything that happens at the club is put under the microscope and that includes players' performances. He is a front player, they are heroes or villains.

"The week before against West Brom he was the hero, the game later he is the villain.

"These things happen. But Torres is in a good mental condition. He is an excellent player and very much committed and focused on this season.

Despite jumping to Torres' defence the Spaniard is unlikely to start the Europa League match with Steaua Bucharest tonight as Liverpool face old rivals Manchester United at the weekend.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw