Rafa backs ‘misunderstood’ Torres to fire

FORMER Liverpool coach Rafa Benitez has backed Fernando Torres to be a success at Chelsea and has sympathised with the Reds fans who feel betrayed by the Spaniard’s switch to his new club.

If selected, Torres will attempt to break his scoring duck for Chelsea tonight in their Champions League tie against FC Copenhagen, after four appearances in which he has struck 12 shots and created eight chances for team-mates without yet scoring. Benitez, who signed Torres for Liverpool in 2007, can see why the January departure has hit the club and its supporters hard. He suggested that Torres was upset by broken promises from the old board when under the ownership of Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

“You have to analyse situations depending on their context and this one is difficult,” said Benitez. “The moment it happened was perhaps what hurt most. People still don’t understand it. I think Fernando has his reasons and it’s a tough situation to accept for the fans, as he was an idol.