It was once the case that when Liverpool signed a player, they would spend their best years at club and would only move away to retire or because they were no longer needed. However, throughout the highs and lows of the history of Liverpool, many players have seemingly gone on to bigger and better things. Leaving when their stock was still high, in search of silverware or a change of scenery, some players have left Liverpool fans in varying degrees of upset. Throughout the season football historian Peter Kenny Jones will examine the stories of these players, what made them loved and what happened after they left Anfield. Part one is about Fernando José Torres Sanz.
His armband proved he was a red, as the song suggested and long before he arrived at Anfield the Liverpool fans has become enamoured by the long blonde hair of Fernando Torres. The story was not as romantic as it may have first seemed, a group of his friends had all wanted matching tattoos as a mark of their friendship. In the same way English people would find a quote in a foreign language exotic, his group of friends decided on ‘We’ll Never Walk Alone’ as their desired quote. However, knowing the strong use of the song across the football world, Torres thought it was not wise to have it tattooed on his arm and instead agreed to have it secretly printed under his captain’s armband at Atlético Madrid. This all worked well until a battle with a Real Sociedad defender loosened his armband and revealed the words underneath.
Torres said; ‘As it hung from my arm, you could see the message written on the inside, in English: “We’ll Never Walk Alone” … an eagle-eyed photographer spotted the picture and I was immediately linked to Liverpool. Maybe that was the day I took my first step towards Anfield’.
With these, ultimately unfounded, rumours circling around – Torres was linked with a Liverpool move and fans were becoming aware of his performances in Spain. He was a boyhood Atlético fan and he was adored by his people. After impressing since his debut aged 17, by the age of 19 he was captain. He was part of the team that got promoted and rose to stardom in his home side. His goals tally was not remarkable, scoring 82 in 214 games. What Torres did possess was great experience for such a young age. By the time he signed for Liverpool in 2007, aged 23, he has captained his club for four years, played over 200 club games, was Atlético’s top scorer for five consecutive seasons and had also represented Spain in Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. Liverpool had seen enough to smash their transfer record, which stood at £14 million for Djibril Cissé, and invested £20 million on the talented Spaniard. The move also saw Luis García go the other way in return for £4 million.
Rafa had his man and immediately awarded the famous number nine shirt. He signed the summer following the Champions League Final defeat to AC Milan in Athens, with a new striker on board the aim was now to push for a league title and go one better in Europe. Torres hit the ground running, his first Anfield appearance brought with it his first goal – ironically against Chelsea. The following month, he scored a hattrick away to Reading in the League Cup. His third appearance in the Champions League provided two goals for El Niño. February 2008 was momentous as Torres was named Player of the Month after scoring four in four. In March he became the first player since Jack Balmer in 1946, to score consecutive home hattricks. The records kept rolling in, the first player since Fowler and in nine seasons to score twenty in a season and scored more in his first season than Owen had in any during his Liverpool career. Equalled Roger Hunt’s record of scoring in eight consecutive home games, most goals for a foreign player in their debut season and was joint second top goal scorer in the league. By the end of the season he was shortlisted for Player and Young Player of the Season and finished second to Cristiano Ronaldo for the FWA Player of the Year.
Despite having a first season shrouded in personal success, Liverpool had not achieved their goals. A fourth-place finish in the league and fifth round knockouts in both domestic cups was only tolerated due to reching the Champions League semi finals. The arrival of Rafa’s big money signing had reaped some reward for his price tag, but all the glory was personal. There was no silverware and the club had deteriorated since Torres’ arrival. Unfortunately, this was to prove a trend for Torres at Liverpool.
Despite this, 2008-09 was to be the most successful season Torres had at Anfield. The exciting campaign that included the 4-1 victory at Old Trafford, was to again end in disappointment. Liverpool only lost two games throughout the whole campaign, but it was their 11 draws that cost them. Finishing four points behind Manchester United who also had a worse goal difference, Liverpool had never been so close to a Premier League title. The relationship between Torres and Gerrard was emphatic in 07-08 and continued to blossom in the 08-09 season, Torres had been demolishing Liverpool and Premier League records but owed a lot to the work of the legendary Scouser who played behind him.
Their bond was clear to see, the comparisons to Rush/Dalglish and Toshack/Keegan were being brandished around. Gerrard looked for Torres and vice versa and the two were infallible when they played together. As the years passed and Liverpool’s search for silverware continued to falter it seemed that the main reason for Torres to continue his stay at Anfield was Gerrard. The Spanish contingent built by Rafa was slowly seeping out of the club and when Benitez left in 2010 rumours began circling that Hodgson’s arrival would see the departure of Torres.
Liverpool were adamant that their star man would stay, pictures of Torres wearing a Liverpool scarf with the World Cup in 2010 restored the hopes of the fans but it was not to last long. Performances on the pitch were certainly dipping and whether it was Torres’ head being turned or the start of the end of his purple patch is unclear.
When Hodgson was sacked, Dalglish was tasked with fixing the faltering reds and getting the team back in order. He too was adamant that he wanted Torres to stay and it appeared that Torres would feed of the knowledge of the legendary striker.
In August Torres said; ‘My commitment and loyalty to the club and the fans is the same as it was on my first day when I signed’. In January, he handed in a transfer request following a rejected bid from Chelsea. This was also rejected, nevertheless when the window closed Torres was a Chelsea player. Fans felt let down and images of burning Torres Liverpool shirts were circulated. He had left in a cloud, something which it looked like he would never do. The fans were hurt that he had handed in a transfer request, months after stating his loyalty to the club. Also, he had gone to Chelsea. Rivals in the league and a fanbase that certainly was not admired by Liverpool fans. Torres had let everyone down and when Liverpool and Chelsea met that season, a tackle by Daniel Agger perhaps best summed up all Liverpool fans at the time.
Torres was also part of the team that beat Liverpool when Gerrard fell victim of the untimeliest slip. The hatred toward Torres was visceral, he was booed countless times and he had ruined his great reputation. Watching Torres score the winner away to Barcelona was almost as bad for Liverpool fans as Gary Neville’s commentary. He had left for the silverware he had hoped to win when he joined Liverpool and he ultimately achieved his goals.
The strange thing regarding Torres is that this angst did not remain. When Torres returned to Anfield in 2015 for a charity match which pitted a Gerrard XI vs. Carragher XI, everyone expected Torres to be met with boos and whistles. Instead, as if proving that time was a healer, his famous song rang out from the Kop once again. It seemed that water had passed under the bridge. Torres had since returned to Atlético and he was supporting Gerrard and Carragher. What certainly helped was that, despite winning three trophies at Chelsea, he had not shone anywhere like he had for Liverpool. His form dipped just as Liverpool recouped £50 million for his services. He clearly had a bond with the club and the fans seemed to forgive him. No doubt scarred and still hurt by his decision and also not as loved as he could have been, but the fans seemed to forgive some of his sins.
Fernando Torres was a sublime player in his prime, his partnership with Gerrard and role in Benitez’s squad was immense. He was set to break more records and become a legend at Anfield. Instead he chose Chelsea, three seasons in London was enough to tarnish his legacy. His severe drop in form made him a laughing stock and he returned to Atlético as a squad player. He has now taken what looks to be one of the final steps of his career in Japan, representing Sagan Tosu. All Liverpool fans will look back fondly at his time on Merseyside but they will also never forget how he broke their hearts.
Peter Kenny Jones https://peterkj.wixsite.com/football-historian @PeterKennyJones
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