Reina blames Chelsea for reducing 'close pal' Torres to rubble

London, May 5(ANI): Ahead of their FA Cup final clash on Saturday, Liverpool goal keeper Pepe Reina has criticized Chelsea for maltreating his Spanish team mate and ex Reds' striker Fernando Torres.

Reina, who is a close friend of Torres, said it has been hard to watch from a distance as a man he views as almost part of his family been trashed about so agonizingly in his first 15 months at Chelsea.

The two Spain internationals and former Liverpool team-mates are set to come face- to-face at Wembley on Saturday evening, and will be rivals for the duration of the showpiece match.

Torres moved to Stamford Bridge in January 2010 with a reputation as one of the world's most deadly goal-scorers, but suffered a six-month drought that led to speculation he was finished at the top level.

But Reina feels his friend was badly let down by a lack of support from his new club. He himself has struggled himself this season, but believes the backing he's received at Anfield is a world away from the indifference that saw Torres cast ruthlessly aside for much of the season.

"I don't think Chelsea, as a club, -delivered for him - the pressure was there, but I don't think it was only down to Fernando," The Daily Mirror quoted Reina, as saying.

"The difference between Fernando and myself is I have had the confidence of the people at my club all the time. I don't think that has been the case for him at Chelsea," he added.

"It is much easier to get over mistakes when you know you have the confidence of your manager and your team-mates. With Andre Villas-Boas -especially, I don't think Fernando felt that," he said. (ANI)