http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2008/04/29/i-m-up-for-a-scrap-against-chelsea-says-fernando-torres-89520-20398620/I'm up for a scrap against Chelsea, says Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres insists he is ready to earn his money the hard way - by going into battle against Chelsea's tough-guy defenders.
The Liverpool striker wears the scars from last week's Champions League semi-final with pride, because he believes being singled out for rough treatment is a compliment to his skills.
And the 30-goal forward wants to prove in the return leg at Stamford Bridge tomorrow that he holds no fear about getting into an all-out war with Chelsea's uncompromising centreback pairing of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho.
"All the defenders in England are so tough - the good ones and the less gifted ones are all the same that way," said the Spain international. "It must be written into their contracts.
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"Now I've taken that on board I know I have to go out and earn my money. I'm paid to deal with this, I'm paid to take the tough stuff, and I'm not scared of a scrap.
"I have wanted to play against guys like Terry and Carvalho for a long time, and they do me an honour by giving me a tough time. I am ready for it, and I can't wait."
Torres has been a revelation since arriving in the Premier League, and he has become the first Liverpool striker since Robbie Fowler to reach the 30-goal mark.
He has done so despite being given a fearsome baptism in life in the English top flight by defenders determined to snuff out the threat he poses.
But Torres just loves it, and he believes if he gets more of the same at Chelsea tomorrow night, then he will respond in the way he has done so all season.
"I'm certainly going to try to answer Terry and Carvalho by getting a couple of goals against Chelsea. That is what I always try, and I enjoy that competition in England," he said.
"English football is physical and tough but it is reasonably honest . . in contrast to Spain and La Liga, where it is more vicious, and you get elbowed off the ball and studs-first challenges."
For Torres, just the chance to play in such a semi-final is a delight, even if he knows he will be in for a real physical battle.
At his previous club Atletico Madrid Torres could only dream of reaching the Champions League semi-final, and no matter the outcome tomorrow, he is going to take every single ounce of enjoyment out of the occasion.
"Everybody dreams of playing in the Champions League, and in the space of a few months I've gone from having my dreams while I'm sitting watching it on the TV, to having a part in it and bigger and bigger moments," he explained.
"I already have so many memories after just one season, and it's not over yet. There was my goal in the San Siro when we beat Inter Milan, the incredible 4-0 win over Marseille, and a goal in a 4-2 win over Arsenal.
"That was special - now it's the turn of Chelsea."
But if everything has been headturning since his arrival at Anfield in a record £21million deal in the summer, one small aspect of life at his new club does not quite measure up to expectations.
"I find the changing area very old and very small," said Torres.
"The players are right up against each other inside it.
"Rafa Benitez has tried to get it extended several times, but the senior players told him that the dressing room had been like that for a lifetime, and that it was like a listed building."
I have always wanted to play against guys like Terry and Carvalho for a long time
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We're with you all the way Torres! Stick two goals into those suckers!