Torres set for Anfield return; talks Liverpool title bid, Gerrard relationship
Fernando Torres is set to don the famous red of Liverpool once more after the Spaniard’s inclusion in a charity match versus a team of Barcelona legends was confirmed for March 2020.
The man known as ‘El Nino‘ dazzled the Anfield crowds during his three-and-a-half year stint on Merseyside, with the marksman plundering 81 goals from his 142 appearances across all competitions for the club.
A series of superb centre-forward displays endeared the recently-retired 35-year-old to Reds fans, with his persistent tormenting of rival Man Utd centre-halves Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand a particular bright spark for the Anfield faithful.
Torres infamously departed Liverpool for Chelsea in a controversial £50m move in 2011, but the striker’s relationship with the club and its fans has been rebuilt over time, with the marksman famously pulling on the red of Liverpool once more in charity All-Stars match in 2015.
Now, while speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Torres has opened up about his relationship with the club, his partnership with Steven Gerrard, and given his verdict on Jurgen Klopp’s vintage of 2019.
“It’s always really nice to come back to Liverpool,” said Torres.
“Many memories come to my mind, especially here at Anfield, when I felt so happy. Every time I see Anfield on the television or watching Liverpool games, there are always a lot of memories and feelings coming.”
“Everything changed so much around the stadium, obviously with the new stand – it’s the first time I’ve seen it and it’s amazing.
“But you can still feel the same feelings as when I was playing here. It’s a different place. It’s like a piece of magic around the stadium and I’m really happy about the way the club is doing at the moment, I’m supporting Liverpool from everywhere I am. So it’s always special to come back.”
Torres is widely regarded to have played his best football while with Liverpool, with his telepathic understanding with Steven Gerrard a key factor in running Rafa Benitez’s teams of that era close to the Premier League title.
“I did enjoy probably my best years playing football with a Liverpool shirt, especially playing in a side with all my teammates, but especially Steven Gerrard,” said the Spaniard.
“I was a big fan of Gerrard before I joined Liverpool.
“Everybody in football feels this way about Gerrard. So to have the chance to play with him was a big point for me to come to Liverpool as well.
“It was the first time I realised I needed something to complete my game – and Gerrard had everything that I needed. It was really easy to play with him.
“Sometimes you’re watching the game and predicting something that can happen, and you see something your teammates don’t see. But it would happen with him. He saw the same things I saw. So I just needed to run.
“When I saw the ball was going to finish at his feet, I started the run and I knew he would see the movement I was doing before looking at me. It was so easy. I really enjoyed that time, I miss it a lot.”
Although Torres’ time at Anfield will live long in the memory of many Liverpool fans, no trophies were forthcoming.
That has not been an issue for the current Liverpool team, however, with Jurgen Klopp masterminding Liverpool to Champions League and UEFA Super Cup glory within the last five months.
Speaking on Liverpool’s title chances in the present day, Torres said: “I know how important it is to win trophies for Liverpool.
“I was really looking forward to the end of the Premier League and it’s unbelievable with 97 points you cannot win the league; I know how important it is to win the Premier League for Liverpool. [I believe] it will happen this year.
“I was so, so proud and happy for the club and the players and everybody around to win the Champions League for the sixth time. It’s not easy, it’s amazing. And especially because it was in my town, in my stadium. So I was so happy to see Liverpool lifting that trophy in Madrid.”
Fernando Torres will take part in the Liverpool legends versus Barcelona legends charity match in March 2020, with proceeds from the occasion going towards the LFC Foundation.
