In The Times, by Paul Jones. This weekend Fernando Torres opened the scoring against Tottenham with a header John Toshack would have been proud of, and with it, scored his 50th goal for the club on only his 84th appearance; reaching that landmark in less games than the like of Ian Rush, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen managed. The great Roger Hunt netting his first 50 goals in 79 games being the only Liverpool player to reach that landmark before him. So much for "foreigners" needing time to bed in and adapt to the pace of the English game. But just how good is Fernando Torres? Can strikers be measured only by goals scored, or is their influence on the shape of the side, assists provided or off the ball work as crucial when considering their importance to a side, or deciding their ranking among the world's best? While Torres weighs in with more than his fair share of goals, his mere presence in the side proves just as crucial at times. Defenders are scared of him. They're scared of his pace. Sides "double up" on him time and time again, sometimes even 3 men pressing each time he's in possession. So while that makes life difficult for our number 9, it draws defenders towards him and creates more and more space for others to exploit. Just by being on the pitch he creates problems. His contribution cannot be measured purely through goals scored. Having him leading the line changes the way we approach a game, and changes the way sides set up against us. His presence forces the opposition to sit 5 to 10 yards deeper and creates space for Gerrard bursting through as he pulls defenders with him, also creating the space that Yossi Benayoun has exploited brilliantly in the past few months of this season. His role in the side is vital to the way we play, no matter how many goals he contributes. The shadow he casts is priceless. This season he's started only 20 games in the league and made 4 appearances from the bench. For a lot of those games he's been below peak fitness and returning from injury, and hasn't really once had a chance to build up full match fitness and get into his stride as he did last year. Yet he's still managed to score league 14 goals; only 5 less than the golden boot winner, Anelka. 14 goals in 20 starts make for pretty impressive reading in the circumstances. The one statistic never mentioned when discussing the goal scoring record of Torres, is that all his goals come from open play; every single one of them. He doesn't take penalties, nor does he take free kicks. The fact that all his goals come from open play shows his goal scoring record in a completely different light, as pretty much all of the great goal scorers I can remember notched their fair share of goals from the spot or dead balls. It's frightening to think how many Torres would score in a season if he took all our penalties. The partnership he's struck up with Steven Gerrard was one of the finds of last season. The captain has finally found his best position after years of wasted attacking instinct being stifled in central midfield, and his link up play with Torres is an absolute joy to watch. Two world class players that would walk into any side in the world at the forefront of our attack; yet it's a partnership that has featured together only 14 times this season due to injuries. More than anything else, that statistic highlights why we've just fallen short in this season's title race. Some will point to our victory at Anfield over Man United without either of them in the side, or the victory at Stamford Bridge without Torres, or the numerous draws at Anfield; but I don't think there's any hiding from the fact that if they'd have played together more than 14 times this season then we'd have picked up a few more points along the way. A massive case of what might have been. More than any summer signings or changes at the club before next season, the one difference in next season's title challenge will be keeping Gerrard and Torres fit and playing together more they've managed this year. We haven't got the money to sign a player of similar quality to step in when either are sidelined, nor will any player of that quality be happy to play second fiddle when they are fit. It's vital they play together in the majority of games if we want to become Champions come May. One of the reasons why he hit the ground running in The Premiership is that he deals with the physical nature of the game brilliantly. Only once in his two seasons in a red shirt can I recall him becoming frustrated with heavy handed treatment dished out during a game and letting it affect his performance. That was in the FA Cup tie at Goodison when he was kicked all over the place, and he began to show signs of it getting to him. Other than that game, he's just got on with it; shrugging off the challenges and letting his football do the talking. His strength on the ball is immense and his desire immeasurable. The Confederations Cup takes centre stage this summer, for those that even know what it is, and will therefore prevent Fernando Torres from having a few months with his feet up to recharge those batteries for August. But the tournament is nowhere near as intense as a World Cup or the European Championships in which Torres played in all last summer. He'll get far more of a rest this time around, and will return to Melwood refreshed and reenergised for the new season. If he can stay fit for the majority of next season, then what odds on him finishing top scorer? Considering he was only 5 off the pace this time around with how things panned out over the season, I'd make him a pretty hot favourite to be taking home that golden boot next May. Keep him and Gerrard fit and he might just be taking home the Premiership trophy as well.
Excellent read... It does beg the question once again though what "if" ...... But he finishes it off on a nice note by saying he'll be golden boot winner next season and i think he's right...
This is why no other striker is close to nando imo,50 goals in 2 seasons every goal from open play, each goal different from the last, goals in all comps against the best and worst, goals at anfield...mancs..chavs...goodison...san siro...stade velledrome.. the list goes on the man is a legend already and by the time he is finished in a red shirt he will be the clubs top all time goal scorer beating rush's 346
Fernando Torres in love with Liverpool FC http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/live...-in-love-with-liverpool-fc-100252-23741353/2/ May 29 2009 by Tony Barrett, Liverpool Echo FERNANDO TORRES today revealed how the incredible bond he has with Liverpool was the key to him agreeing an improved new deal with the Anfield club. The Spanish striker is set to put pen to paper on a new contract which will see his salary rise to around £100,000 a week – as Liverpool make good on a promise made when he first joined the club in 2007. When Torres left Atletico Madrid and joined the Reds he would told that his progress would be rewarded and after scoring 50 goals in his first two seasons at Anfield the 25-year-old has now been given a pay hike to reflect his status as one of the world’s top strikers. There is no contract extension as the new deal runs out in 2013 just as the original one did but the option of an extra year has been added. After agreeing the new terms Torres told how he wants to stay at Anfield and furnish his time with the Reds with trophies. “I want to remain here,†he said. “Since arriving at Liverpool I feel that there’s a bond and commitment. “We listened to the club’s offer, which came on the back of two seasons of positive work. “My objective now is to win a trophy with Liverpool next year.†Torres is the latest Liverpool player to agree a new deal in recent weeks as Rafa Benitez attempts to ensure none of his stars will be tempted away from Anfield in the foreseeable future. Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt and Daniel Agger have also pledged their future to the Reds and the Dane is expected to be the first to put pen to paper on his new deal after playing for Denmark against Sweden this weekend. Benitez believes the work that has already been done behind the scenes is another indication that Liverpool are heading in the right direction. He said: “We’ve made huge progress this season and now we need to take the next step. “We are building something special here and securing such important players on long-term deals means we can move forward with confidence. “This sends out a very positive message to everyone connected with the club. “Fernando is one of the best strikers in the game today and, at his age, can only get better. “Every major side would want him in their team, but he has shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future to the club. “He’s a special talent, but still has the hunger to improve his game.†* Contrary to reports, Liverpool have not met the £25m valuation of Carlos Tevez. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liverpool FC striker Fernando Torres marries Olalla Dominguez in secret Spanish ceremony May 29 2009 By David Bartlett LIVERPOOL FC striker Fernando Torres has married his childhood sweetheart in a secret ceremony in his Spanish homeland. Torres, 25, married Olalla Dominguez, 23, in a ceremony with just two guests. The couple were married in tiny El Escorial town hall north of Madrid for a low-key ceremony conducted by a local councillor. They have been together for eight years and decided to tie the knot before Olalla, who is seven months pregnant, gives birth in the summer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congradulations Nando and Olalla if the baby is a boy can we have the first option
The lad is exellent ... but, if we are not going to play 2 strikers in front of Stevie G, then we definitely need a better quality second striker for when Torres needs to be rested or is injured etc. Personally, I'd be happy to see us play that second striker as first choice in the cup games and keep Torres & Stevie G for the League & CL next season. One thing for sure, were defo lucky to have Torres !
Apologies, but couldnt be arsed reading the original post. Answer: best in the world. Not just because of his goals and talent but also because he loves the club and its rare to find such a genuine talent playing for a club that he genuinely and passionately loves. I honestly think he'll go back to Atletico before he hangs up his boots but he'll give his best years to us.
He's ok.... 50 goals in 84 appearances back this statement up, along with other facets of Torres' life as a Liverpool player. Best in the business!!
Congrats to Nando on the wedding!. There'll be a few hearts broken on here, and I'm not talking about female ones!
I'll still have his babies and the ans to the thread if it wasn for the foot and mouth Id have been able to travel across back in the day and Id be just as good
lmao. Good????? If they think rooney is world class i think they need a new word to discribe how good nando is!
Another good read about Nando This is from his own website May 31, 2009 Press and fans pay homage to Fernando Torres at the ‘Marca Forum’ The world of sport, the Spanish daily sport newspaper ‘Marca’ and over 700 fans and members of the press gathered in Madrid to pay homage to the Liverpool and Spain number ‘9’. At the ‘III Marca Forum for Sport’, Fernando Torres received an award in recognition of his memorable goal for Spain in the Euro 2008 final. In a relaxed atmosphere the striker responded to questions put to him by supporters and journalists. There were also plenty of laughs as the forward told a couple of funny anecdotes to the audience. At the end of the event, Torres was handed the award along with a giant copy of a front page of ‘Marca’ with a photo of the magical moment from Vienna final when the forward scored the game’s only goal. During the forum the forward looked back over the strike that ultimately led to Spain lifting the 2008 European Championship title. “At the time it was a gamble, another piece of play, but the feeling I got when I saw the ball hitting the back of the net ball was unbelievable. It was a lifetime dream you thought would never happen finally coming true. To be responsible for uniting a country and a title success is the greatest thing that can happen to you.†When asked about the current Spain side, Fernando commented that: “we have a great team. We are going to be a part of the next World Cup, and we have the right to dream of doing something special. Hopefully we can repeat our recent success because this squad will be the same group as before, but two years more experienced.†This summer sees Spain take part for the first time in the Confederations Cup. The event takes place in South Africa just one year before the World Cup kick-off for the first time ever in the African continent. “It will be our first contact with South Africa and some of our possible rivals. The important thing is to maintain the level of competition, and as for trophies, the more the merrier.†Fernando Torres spoke about the special bond he has with the Atletico Madrid faithful. The Director of ‘Marca’, Eduardo Inda took time out to mention that the attendance and warm welcome received by Fernando Torres had greatly surpassed that of the guests at the two previous forums (Real Madrid’s Raul and Barcelona’s Messi). The forward revealed that he was “not surprised at the welcome. I was born into the Atletico family and I know just how the supporters think. It makes me feel very proud to see Liverpool shirts being worn at the Vicente Calderon Satdium, and Atletico Madrid tops on view at Anfield.†The Spaniard recalled as a child having, “witnessed Atletico’s League and Cup double and also relegation to the Second Division, a mix of good and bad times. Regardless of results, they are supporters who are always fully behind their team.†In reply to a question asking the forward if he would one day return to his boyhood club, Fernando revealed that “it would be important for me to finish my career at the place where I started.†When asked about his goal against Real Madrid in the Champions League clash at Anfield, Torres recalled that “it was a very special moment. I played through the pain barrier. I even had to cut open the side of the boot so that the bandage could fit. I really wanted to play and at the end I felt that the risk had been worth taking.†Liverpool were drawn alongside Atletico Madrid in the same group of Champions League, however an injury kept Torres on the sidelines for both of the clashes. “It was frustrating not being able to play, you eventually come round to the idea that you are going to have to sit it out, but when both sets of supporters chanted my name it was by far the best moment of the season for me, even more special than any award or goal could ever be. The 25 year old also talked about the moment when he carried a Spanish flag with an Atletico Madrid crest during Spain’s Euro 2008 celebrations in the Spanish capital. “I left the airport without a flag, but when we passed under a bridge at Avenida de America a fan tossed me a flag. Each player was carrying a flag and I was proud to carry mine.†Fernando went on to talk about how since joining Liverpool he has developed as a footballer and also about Gerrard’s leadership qualities. “I have improved a lot at Liverpool, and as for Gerrard, he’s one of the world’s best players and I hope to be able to play alongside him during the rest of my career. He’s a true captain, and you always know that he will be there for you. Even before I was officially presented as a Liverpool player, I received a message on my phone from Gerrard. It’s these small details that make him such a great captain.†Torres went on to say that he considers the skipper “as the best player in the world†although he added that “more than anyone, Messi has deserved all the accolades he has been awarded.†The forward was asked by one of the people present which coach he preferred, Rafa Benitez or Luis Aragones. Fernando Torres confessed that he would choose “both of them. I started under Luis when I was 17 years old, and he had a lot to show me and I had a lot to learn. Luis means a lot to me. Rafa has helped to raise my game. He ensures that you improve in each and every training session and I hope to continue learning under him and that we can win titles side by side.†When questioned if he would follow Rafa Benitez should the manager one day join Real Madrid, Torres assured those present that: “he’s under contract at Liverpool until 2014, and hopefully that move will never happen. But should it ever happen and Rafa were to leave, I would not follow him.†Torres was asked to choose his favourite midfield pairing from Xabi Alonso and Gerrard, and Iniesta and Xavi. It was a tough decision and Fernando decided to vote for both. “If I can continue playing alongside both sets of midfielders, with Liverpool and with Spain respectively, then brilliant.†The striker,who recently announced his new contract deal with Liverpool, confirmed his intention of staying put on Merseyside: “I wouldn’t join Barcelona or Real Madrid.â€
Nice find redabbey. When questioned if he would follow Rafa Benitez should the manager one day join Real Madrid, Torres assured those present that: “he’s under contract at Liverpool until 2014, and hopefully that move will never happen. But should it ever happen and Rafa were to leave, I would not follow him.†Good answer