Fernando Torres finds a friend in understanding Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti

Feb 7 2011 Liverpool Echo

CARLO ANCELOTTI claimed Fernando Torres “did a good job” despite a disappointing debut from the £50million striker as Chelsea lost 1-0 to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

Torres had been the name on everyone’s lips in the build-up to yesterday afternoon’s much-hyped Premier League clash following his British transfer record move from Anfield.

However, it was not to be a dream debut for the Spaniard, who put an early 20-yard effort high into the stands and was replaced by Salomon Kalou after 68 minutes.

Moments later and the Reds fans – who had taken great delight in barracking their former Kop idol throughout the match – were celebrating when Raul Meireles slammed the ball in after a mix-up between Chelsea keeper Petr Cech and Branislav Ivanovic which was enough to secure another victory for Kenny Dalglish’s improving side.

Ancelotti, however, maintained: “The problem wasn’t that Torres played – he did a good job on the pitch.

“We had difficulty finding enough space in front, because Liverpool defended very well and they put three defenders in the middle, and we didn’t find the right way to attack them. We were too slow playing from the back. We didn’t find the space.”

Ancelotti continued: “Fernando tried to do something, used his movement and did a good job.

“We have to work in training to combine with the other strikers, but that’s normal.

“I took him off because, after 60 minutes and a very busy week, it was good for him to come off.

“Fernando has experience, he has confidence and didn’t show problems before the game.

“He was enthusiastic to play, excited, and it didn’t show a problem. We have to give Fernando time to adjust to the shape, but I think that he will do it quickly.”

Ancelotti sees no reason why deploying Torres, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in a front three should not work.

“We played a fantastic game with this shape at Sunderland and wanted to reproduce that,” the Chelsea boss said. “But Liverpool were strong defensively, put strong pressure on in their half, and we were not able to find the solution. The right result would have been a draw, but this is football.”