Roy Hodgson: ‘Depressed’ Fernando Torres Finding His Joy Of Playing Again

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson believes Fernando Torres has found his joy of playing again after scoring in the 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.

The Spaniard has received criticism for his below-par performances this term, having only netted once before the clash with Sam Allardyce’s men.

Hodgson admits heavy scrutiny on a player “tends to depress people somewhat”, and hopes Torres can continue to add to his tally.

"He played an awful lot better [Torres]," he told BBC Sport.

"That was his best performance for the team this season.

"He will be very happy tonight that he caused as many problems as he did and looked as likely to score as he did.

"We will need him to score many more goals if we are to get into the position where we think we should be.

"He was very down when he came back from the World Cup.

"Maybe people do get a bit down when they're constantly criticised left, right and centre.

"It tends to depress people somewhat.

"He was affected by the amount of criticism he took at the World Cup and the criticism of himself and the club at the start of this season.

"Maybe he's just beginning to come out of that and find his joy of playing again, his energy and intensity.

"You can talk about it, ask for it, demand it, but he's the one who has got to find it in himself when the match starts.

"Today he did that very well."

It looked like being one of those days for Liverpool as they squandered a host of chances in a first half they dominated before Sotirios Kyrgiakos gave the Reds the lead in the 48th minute. Jamie Carragher then scored a bizarre own goal before Fernando Torres was back among the goals with the winner.

Hodgson added: "It was a very deserved victory and one that was really needed.

"If we had come in at half-time several goals up no-one could have said a word, so I told them at the break they were going the right way and if they carried on they would be fine, which they were.

"It's the three points that count and I'm very happy with that."

This game could and should have been out of sight by half-time, but as the final whistle approached the tension around Anfield became almost visible, a feeling that Hodgson was all too aware of as he spoke in his post-match press conference.

"We played very well for 70 minutes but anxiety crept in – that happens when you're fighting at the bottom of the table and want to get out of it," he said.