The Torres Difference

Liverpool won 2-0 in last night's game. For the second time, Benitez names a unchange side, the side that gave Besiktas a good whipping lastWednesday, and it looked like it was going to be another 8-0 victory the way Liverpool was threatening Fulham from all angles.

I have to admit, this weaken Liverpool side looked so strong and yet so entertaining, we are once again seeing the best in Voronin playing up front(effectively), but deeper than I expected, and Benayoun being faster than what most people think. Aberloa and Fabio Aruilleo is proving to be strong wing backs themselves. Hopefully they will develop into world class players.

There were so many Shots and Niemi and the Fulham post was on course to win the man of the match award. Fulham's defense kept it tight, and with all the missed chances, it looked like another home draw for Liverpool. Looked like a game where people are going to watch Liverpool throwing away valuable points away by not scoring against a relatively weaker opponent, no offense to Fulham.

Then on came a striker who can create chances out of nothing. A Quick Reina kick that looked so harmless, was well controlled by the 20 million pound fella, and some slick moves and a tap, suddenly made Niemi's heroics seem like yesterday's news. For years, Liverpool were in need of a striker of this caliber and I'm glad we got one at last.

Crouch was brought down in a goal scoring chance just outside the penalty box but karma works its wonders. Liverpool's been punished by penalties they did not deserve to concede, and this time it goes in their favour(not like it would change the outcome of the match in a significant way anyways) and Captain Gerrard slots it right in the bottom corner, a place where you want to put your penalties in.

Torres. Good signing or bad?

Okay, this will be the first post where I admit(like anyone still doesn't know) that I'm a Liverpool fan. Liverpool bought Fernando Torres for 26.5 million pounds.

His record as a youngster speaks for itself. His name alone once brought fear to the sides he face. He had such a good start to his career, everyone was certain that this fella is going to be a force to be reckon with. His former club respected his talent and even made him captain.

But years gone by and now he is 23 years of age, still relatively young, we all expected him to be a striker that nets 25 goals a season. But so far in his professional career, he only has 91 goals in his 243 appearances. Not a very strong ratio for a Striker who brought so much promises. Averaging 16 goals a season that is not too bad either.


But for a 26.5 million pounds price tag, I personally feel that that is way too much.

I think the neutrals will think that this is a complete waste of money, and strikers at Liverpool will never do well anyways. Benitez's rotating policy will not help either. Its a good bet that he will only net 12 goals in all competition if he's fit. And that is not even worth the money paid.

However, now the Spaniard will play in front of the likes of Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso. Its still too early to tell how well Torres will do.

I have not watch enough of his matches to conclude whether or not he is fast or strong enough for the English game.

This is my prediction:
I think Torres would have a bad start scoring once maybe in his debut then suffer a goal drought for a long period of time. Then people will question his value and worth before having a good run of goals in the mid season. At the end of the day, He will net around 13 to 15 goals in all competitions and be placed as one of the flops of the season.


Sorry I dont see him soaring high this time around.

On the bright side, I believe that he would not be one of the flops that Liverpool will load off later, *cough cough* Cisse, Bellamy *cough cough*

I think he will learn the English game and improve in the following seasons. Too early to tell though.