Anfield hero Ian Rush has showered praise on Kenny Dalglish for his management of Fernando Torres’ move to Chelsea and believes Liverpool are stronger without the World Cup winner.

A former team-mate of Dalglish, the Welshman insists the swift acquisitions of Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll after Torres’ departure underlines the capabilities of Dalglish as a manager and will go a long-way in taking Liverpool forward.

“Fernando Torres is a fantastic player, but if someone hands in a transfer request and says he doesn’t want to play for Liverpool Football Club then you let them go,” Rush told the club’s official website.

“The way Kenny Dalglish handled the situation was absolutely fantastic – he got two brilliant players in to replace Torres and we’ll be a better team for it.”

Still Liverpool’s all time leading goalscorer, Rush also feels the behaviour of Torres showed a lack of respect to Reds’ fans who took the Spaniard to their hearts following his move from Atletico Madrid in 2007.

“As good as Torres was, he was only one player. I wish Fernando success in what he does in the future but the thing that I can’t get out of my head is the way he disappointed the fans,” added Rush.