Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has claimed that fans of former club Liverpool “don’t know the truth” behind his move to Stamford Bridge and has accused the Reds’ owners, Fenway Sports Group, of breaking promises.
Torres left Anfield in a £50 million deal in January, a move that has made him an unpopular figure amongst the supporters that idolised him during his time at the Merseyside club.
The Spain international claims there was more to the transfer than meets the eye, however, saying Reds fans “don’t know” what their club’s owners are like.
“The Liverpool fans don’t know the truth about why I signed for Chelsea,” he told Spanish television station Canal+ Liga.
“The fans don’t even know half of what happened. They don’t know what the people in charge at Liverpool are like – they have a completely different perception of what they are like.
“They made promises that they didn’t keep and I left because I realised I didn’t have time to be part of a project that would take years.
“I have nothing against the Liverpool fans. I didn’t want to leave Liverpool the way I did but the club lied. I was let down and I don’t understand why the fans hate me.”
Torres has struggled since joining Chelsea, scoring only three goals in his 25 Premier League appearances for the club so far, but feels that he deserves more respect from his critics for his past achievements.
“I am going to try to be very humble and get back into the Chelsea starting line-up,” he said.
“My form has not been good but I am world and European champion and I deserve more respect.
“It’s hard being on the bench but I respect the players who are playing. I’m going to support the team and get back in.”
His poor form, he admitted, could put his place in Spain’s Euro 2012 squad next summer in jeopardy, but the 27-year-old is confident he has a future with the national team.
“It’s true that [Spain head coach] Vicente del Bosque is worried about me and my form for Chelsea,” Torres said. “It’s up to me to go back to being the striker I was before.
“If I go back to how I was a few years ago, I will again play an important role in the Spanish national team.”