Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has delivered a damning verdict on the quality of goalkeepers and defenders in the Premier League.
The Spaniard, currently on international duty with his country at the European championships, scored 33 goals in his first season at Anfield - the most by any top-flight player in a debut season.
As well as his own undoubted ability, Torres puts his goalscoring exploits in the Premier League down to poor play at the back by opponents.
Unsurprisingly, the only two keepers he actually rates - Edwin van der Sar and Petr Cech - play for the two top teams, Manchester United and Chelsea.
Torres told the Sun: "In England, the keepers usually come out too soon and try to go one on one with you.
"The only exceptions are Edwin van der Sar and Petr Cech, who hold and hold and try to keep themselves big as you close in on them.
"That's why, against Manchester United and Chelsea, I try to hit the ball early.
"The rest of the Premier League keepers tend to come out at you and throw themselves down at the ball too quickly.
"In general, that's the reason so many goals are scored when a striker dribbles down the right or left and the keeper goes down at his feet. But if you anticipate what's coming, it's easier to score.
"The central defenders are usually big, strong, aggressive lads. I guess it is probably because of these characteristics that the majority think they can solve problems by getting tough with me.
"But the truth is most of them lack defensive positioning as a result of their reliance on strength and aggression and so leave so much space for you to take advantage of."
