Sunday, February 24, 2008

Fabulous Fernando

Matt Le Tissier hailed Fernando Torres as the difference he fired Liverpool back into fourth place.

The Spaniard's first Premier League hat-trick secured a vital win over Middlesbrough and with Everton playing on Monday night, took Rafa Benitez's side back into the Champions League places.

And last weekend's disastrous FA Cup defeat by Barnsley and indeed, Tuncay's ninth-minute opener for Boro, Torres' treble on 28, 29 and 61 minutes, could not have come at a better time.

It took his tally to 15 in 23 Premier League appearances so far and says Le Tissier, proved just how important he is to Liverpool's chances of salvaging something from what has been a disappointing season at Anfield.

"We all know about his quality," he told Soccer Saturday. "When he's on the pitch Liverpool have a chance of winning games, it's as simple as that. Today he was the difference.

"Today he was fantastic. They were probably the only three chances he had all game and he's walked away with a hat-trick - and that's what you want from a top-class centre-forward.

"The first was a horrendous mistake from Julio Arca. He tried to head it back to Mark Schwarzer and there was no chance of him getting enough power on the header to reach him and Torres just ran on to it, rounded the keeper and tucked it in.

"The second goal a minute later was fantastic, 25 yards out, right foot, he just arrowed it into the far corner. And from that point on Liverpool were a different side and deserved to go 3-1 up when Torres took his hat-trick goal - although again there was another bit of a mix-up."

Le Tissier did have some sympathy for Middlesbrough though and suggested that on this showing, Gareth Southgate's men will not get dragged into a relegation struggle.

He felt they deserved their early lead and hauled it back to 3-2 through Stewart Downing, before the comeback was stopped in its tracks by the sending off of Jeremie Aliadiere.

Which says Le Tissier, was referee Lee Mason's only mistake of the day.

"I've got to say the ref had a very good game the major decisions he made he got right, but I think he was a little bit harsh with this one," he said.

"Javier Mascherano had a little bit of a set-to with Luke Young and Aliadiere didn't have to get involved, but there was a little bit of chat between them and Mascherano put his hand up to his face and just gripped his jaw.

"In response Aliadiere gave him a little slap around the face and that was obviously the moment Lee Mason turned round and saw him raising his hands.

"Once you raise your hands you get sent off, but I think this makes a mockery of that rule because he barely touched him.

"Also Mascherano had raised his hand to Aliadiere's face so if you are going to apply this rule, they've both got to be sent off."

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