Torres is one of Liverpool’s best ever, I just pray he stays, declares Carragher
JAMIE CARRAGHER is praying that Fernando Torres will follow the lead of Steven Gerrard and pledge his future to Liverpool.
The Spanish striker is a £60m target for Chelsea and Manchester City after reportedly expressing his frustration at Anfield following the Reds’ failure to qualify for a Champions League place this season.
Captain Gerrard nailed his colours to the mast last month, dismissing talk of a move to Real Madrid, and now Carragher hopes Torres will do the same.
“Well, he’s our best player,” the veteran defender said after Liverpool’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Borussia Monchengladbach yesterday.
“For me he’s probably the best player in the history of the club, alongside Kenny [Dalglish], so it’s obviously going to give everyone a massive lift.
“Hopefully Fernando will do the same and we can bring one or two more in so that we head into the season with a real feel-good factor.”
Torres is still not back for pre-season following his World Cup-winning exploits with Spain, but new boss Roy Hodgson was able to hand Joe Cole his Reds debut in Germany.
Indeed, Carragher, Gerrard and Glen Johnson were also given their first run-outs of the summer ahead of Thursday’s Europa League qualifying second leg against FK Rabotnicki, and Hodgson admits he is delighted to have his key men back in action.
“Joe and Steven played their first 60 minutes today, Jamie Carragher played 45 and Johnson 55,” Hodgson added. We’re just reintegrating players all the time. It’s going to take a bit of time.”