I’m no traitor, insists Chelsea’s Torres

Fernando Torres insists he is not a traitor after Chelsea’s £50 million striker was accused of betraying Liverpool.

Torres is set to make an emotionally-charged Chelsea debut against his former club this afternoon just a week after completing his controversial British record transfer from Liverpool.

Reds boss Kenny Dalglish admitted he was disappointed by the timing of Torres’s move, which was finalised just hours before the close of the transfer window.

Torres was well below his best for much of this season and handed in a transfer request in an attempt to force through the move once he became aware of Chelsea’s interest, prompting some fans and former players to claim the Spain forward had been sulking for months.

But Torres is adamant he was always completely dedicated to the Liverpool cause.

“I think it is not fair. It makes no sense. I played three very good seasons there and scored lots of goals,” Torres said.

“I understand it was a difficult situation, especially in the transfer window, but I have to think about my career. When I will be 45 I would like to look back and say I am really lucky to have this picture of me as a champion.

“I explained my feelings and was honest with everyone. Obviously, they didn’t want me to leave but I told them I had made my decision. I don’t know how the fans will be but it would a surprise for me if I get a really bad reception.”

During his time at Liverpool, Torres had appeared totally devoted to the Reds and he even claimed he would never play for another English club.

That pledge was swiftly consigned to history once Liverpool began to struggle and Chelsea came calling, but Torres insists he has never been the badge-kissing type who takes the plaudits then walks out when the going gets tough.

“I never kissed the Liverpool badge,” Torres said.

“When I was born in Madrid I wasn’t a Liverpool or Chelsea fan. I’m an Atletico fan, maybe that is the only badge I would kiss.”

The post-Torres era shouldn’t hold too many fears for Liverpool if Uruguay striker Luis Suarez continues to display the kind of predatory instincts that bagged him a debut goal in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Stoke.

Suarez will shoulder the burden of replacing Torres for several weeks until Andy Carroll, the £35 million signing from Newcastle, returns to fitness and the former Ajax star said: “It is a weight off your shoulders scoring your first goal.

“You know everyone is keeping an eye on what you do so it does relax you and helps from the word go.”