NewsLiverpool's Greatest - No.44: Fernando Torres
Years: 2007-2011
Appearances: 142
Goals: 81
Fernando Torres had Kopites bouncing during a three-and-a-half-year spell at Liverpool that was brilliant but bittersweet.
Brought to the Reds from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007, El Nino was considered a superstar-in-waiting and he wasted no time in expressing his talents in English football.
His first goal in the shirt – against Chelsea at Anfield in August – was essentially Torres encapsulated: movement, control, pace and finishing combined into a whirl that few defences could stop.
The Spain international powered his way to one of the all-time great debut seasons in club history to the tune of besotted supporters warning opponents: ‘He’ll get the ball and he’ll score again.’
He did so 33 times across all competitions, showcasing his ability to hit the target off either foot and with his head, whether set up by a teammate or carving out chances himself.
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Watch on YouTubeSpearheaded by the scintillating partnership of Steven Gerrard and Torres in attack, Rafael Benitez’s team narrowly missed out on a third visit to the Champions League final in four years.
A major Premier League title challenge was mounted in the next campaign but saw Liverpool ultimately end as runners-up, with injury spells meaning their No.9’s goal tally was halved.
Twenty-two more goals were supplied by Torres in 2009-10 but the powers of that Reds side were quickly waning and Benitez’s tenure in the dugout concluded upon the season’s completion.
Speculation surrounding his own future was increasingly rife and a contentious parting of the ways occurred in January 2011 as he left to join Chelsea.
“One of the regrets I have is the way I left the club. With time, I think I could explain the reasons,” Torres, who has since returned to Anfield several times for charity matches, later said.
“I’m really happy that every time I go anywhere in the world, I see Liverpool fans and they come to me and thank me for my time here.
“It should be the opposite way. I always thank them for the way they made me feel when I was here, and even now. The city, fans and club will always be in my heart because it’s the way I feel and I cannot change that.
“The memories will last forever. I can remember every goal and every game I played here, and every goal I scored.”
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