It was a signing which reverberated around Europe: Fernando Torres, El Nino, the most exciting up and coming striker in Europe was on his way to Liverpool.
Unlike many big name additions in the years since, Torres absolutely lived up to his billing at Anfield, scoring on his home debut and becoming an instant icon with the Reds.
Sadly, though, the three-and-a-half excellent years which the Spaniard gave to Liverpool tend to be lost amid a sea of bitterness and regret from supporters over his ill-advised move to Chelsea in January 2011.
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While it was fine to be angered at the time, and in the years he remained with the Blues, there is no need for Liverpool fans to hang onto that frustration any longer. Torres has explained the reasons behind his move, admitted that he probably should have stayed, and has even been back at Anfield to play – and score – in a legends match. It is time for everyone to move on.
Torres never really wanted to leave Liverpool
It has now been more than 15 years since Torres made his £50m move to Stamford Bridge, and yet, when the former No. 9 was named at number 44 in Liverpool’s ongoing list of the 100 greatest players in the club’s history, there was significant pushback from fans.
The reasons are understandable, but, as Torres explained in an interview with Liverpool in 2019, he does feel sad about the way he left the club.
“One of the regrets I have is the way I left the club,” he said. “With time, I think I could explain the reasons. 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. I’m really proud to say I will support Liverpool forever, it doesn’t matter what happened.”
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Many Liverpool fans see things differently, but as he has outlined many times, his exit had nothing to do with the supporters, and everything to do with what he felt were broken promises from the Reds ownership at the time.
To some, that should not matter. Chelsea were one of Liverpool’s absolute biggest rivals during Torres’ time with the club, and to go there was to burn all bridges with the Reds.
He clearly does not see it that way, though, and while his move was inadvisable, the love and regard he holds Liverpool and the fans in is absolutely clear.
“I’m really grateful to Liverpool and hopefully in a few years my kids will realise how important the city is for me,” he said.
“My son was born in Liverpool so my link with the city will forever be very high. It will be really nice to bring him to his city to watch a Liverpool game; I will do it very soon.”
Could Torres return one day?
Incredibly, Saturday marks 19 years since Torres arrived at Liverpool, and as fans look back on July 4th 2007, they should feel no anger or disappointment.
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The World Cup winner was a truly transformative player who fell in love with the club. That it continues to mean so much to him, and he hopes for the affection of Liverpool fans, says it all.
With Torres now doing well as the head coach with Atletico Madrid’s B team, perhaps there is a window of opportunity for the former No. 9 to return as a coach?
Jurgen Klopp invited Torres to the Liverpool academy to learn the day-to-day workings in 2024, and with the Reds potentially looking to add a former player to Andoni Iraola’s coaching staff, who better than Torres, who could really begin to repair his relationship with the fans.
The 42-year-old may have his eye on a top role instead of coming in as an assistant, but there is a potential vacancy there, and learning under Iraola back at Anfield would be a big step forward in his development.
Should he come back, it would be fascinating to see the reaction from Liverpool supporters. There would be a pocket who would no doubt be annoyed at seeing a perceived traitor allowed back, but surely it is time now to let this go. Torres was, is, and always will be an adopted Scouser. He made a mistake, but the memories and moments he supplied in a red shirt will always live for longer.
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