Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has defended Fernando Torres after the Spanish striker 前鋒 put in a weak performance against rivals 對手 Birmingham City this weekend.

"I think he is working hard for the team," said Hodgson. "He is a constant thorn in the side 煩惱 of defenders."

Thorn in the side is a phrase used when someone or something causes constant problems. But Hodgson denies that Torres has become a thorn in the side for his own team, the Reds 紅軍（利物浦）。

"We know he lacks match training 比賽中的訓練," says Hodgson. "He missed matches at the end of last year and during the World Cup but I'm not at all concerned about Fernando Torres. He will get better and better."

Hodgson's comments follow critical analysis from commentators, who blasted 嚴厲的批評 the Spanish international 國家隊球員 for his lacklustre 無生氣的 performance.

Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp – who is now a TV pundit 評論員 for Sky Sports – hit out at 猛烈抨擊 the club's record signing （利物浦）身價最高的球員。

"He's been diabolical 糟透了," Redknapp said after the match. "He's shown no appetite 毫無斗志 for the game, he's looked frustrated 沮喪的， sloppy 邋遢的 and lethargic 無精打采的。"

Liverpool signed Torres from Spanish side Athletico Madrid in 2007, in a deal worth ￡26.5 million (276 million yuan). In December 2009 he became the fastest player in Liverpool history to score 50 league goals 聯賽進球。

He was part of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad, and was involved in the team's winning goal 制勝一球，crossing the ball to Cesc Fabregas, who set up the goalscorer.

But many saw Torres' World Cup performance as below par 表現不及以往。 The player struggled to regain form 恢復最佳狀態 after injuries last season and knee surgery before the tournament 世界杯。

The Liverpool manager, however, remains confident that Torres will return to peak form. "He's looking fitter with every game," said Hodgson after the Birmingham game. "I thought he looked dangerous and became stronger as the game went on."