Torres defends rotation policy

Updated 08.47 Tue Feb 19 2008
Keywords: rafael benitez, fernando torres, inter milan, liverpool, champions league, fa cup, premier league, football, sport

Liverpool players are happy with the way Rafael Benitez makes regular changes to his team, according to Fernando Torres.

The rotation policy has been blamed for the club's erratic form but Torres is convinced the rotation system has not affected the team's performances.

"It is very opportunistic to blame rotation for everything that goes wrong" - Fernando Torres

He said: "When things don't go the way one wishes, people look for things to blame.

"We have a manager with a philosophy that people knew before he came and one that has succeeded.

"It is very opportunistic to blame rotation for everything that goes wrong. It is not a problem for us. Liverpool have won a Champions League, FA Cup and so on with rotation.

"It is normal to rest. We players never want to, but if the manager says so, you have to. If everybody accepts that is the way forward, the atmosphere doesn't suffer."

After the shock FA Cup defeat by Barnsley, Liverpool can only win the Champions League this season and they are locked in a battle to finish in the top four of the Premier League to earn a place in next season's competition.

But Torres believes the team is heading in the right direction.

He added: "If you look at the stats, this season is better than last season. The problem is that people asked us to win the Premier League this year.

"There is a progression, I don't think it's a bad season. We started wanting to win everything, but, as it progresses, you are forced to change your targets."

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