LIVERPOOL: Fernando Torres is determined to play for Spain at the Confederations Cup at the end of an injury-blighted season for Liverpool, even it means playing almost two years of football without a proper break.
The 25-year-old striker scored the winning goal for Spain in the European Championship final last June after a gruelling debut season in England.
If Liverpool advance to the Champions League final, his club campaign won’t finish until May 27. Spain’s first match at the Confederations Cup in South Africa is on June 17 against Iraq.
“I will have to play in the Confederations Cup during the summer,” Torres said. “Maybe it is not the best for the next pre-season, but it is my job and I have to play.”
Torres has injured his hamstring on several occasions this season, usually while on international duty, while he required painkilling injections last month to play through an ankle injury.
Only in recent weeks has Torres been fully fit, scoring twice on Saturday in a 4-0 victory over Blackburn that kept the Reds within a point of leader Manchester United.
“I feel that 11 (goals) in 19 league games is a good record, and it is frustrating thinking what it could have been,” said Torres, who scored 33 goals for Liverpool last season. “But we must learn from this season and the injuries I have had, and try to stay 100 per cent fit from the beginning of the season and play all the games.
“I could have had more goals had I been fit more, but I will have to make sure I am fit all next season and then see how many I can get.”
Torres’ scoring record for Liverpool shows how much manager Rafa Benitez relies on him. He has 35 goals in 52 league games and 47 in 78 matches in all competitions.
“Fernando is one of the greatest strikers in the world,” Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said. “It has been really good to have him back in the side and fit. It is frustrating thinking what we could have done this season if he had been fit all the time.” — AP
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