ESPN Soccernet - Correspondents - Liverpool- Bye Nando, we'll miss you!

Posted by Kevin Brodie on 02/01/2011

Well if you came to read this piece hoping that I was going to be ripping into Torres for leaving Liverpool you might as well stop reading. If you were one of the ones who burned his shirt (probably only four people who did this but of course the cameras love images like that) you should be ashamed of yourself.

Torres was a fantastic player for us and I will never forget him. The way he burst onto the scene with that goal against Chelsea and how he made us one of the most feared attacking teams for two of the three-and-a-half years he was at Anfield is something to cherish. Torres leaving Liverpool is 100% at the feet of our previous owners and Christian Purslow. If our previous owners had invested in the team and got behind our manager Liverpool would still be in the Champions League and Liverpool would still have Torres.

As it was, the owners didn't back our greatest manager since Dalglish, and the team got worse not better. Torres had the weight of the world on his shoulders to score goals when the team around him was instructed by our previous manager to boot the ball up the pitch and have Torres chase it. Thank you for picking Roy Hodgson as manager Mr Purslow. Fernando had just had enough of it, I do understand how frustrating that must have been for him.

Fernando could have left last summer but he decided to stick with us, but once he saw how inept Liverpool were under Hodgson he felt that Champions League football was beyond Liverpool once again, even with Dalglish in charge.

Of course, I can't understand him wanting to leave as I'm a supporter of the team but Liverpool did manage to get an awful lot of money for him. He didn't let his contract run down and Liverpool didn't have to sell him at the last minute for chump change (Owen to Madrid anyone). I also hear people talking about how bad it is he went to Chelsea... who cares about Chelsea? That is my view.

I do wish that Fernando hadn’t waited as long in the transfer window as he forced Liverpool to overpay for Carroll. I also would prefer (and I'm still hoping this happens) is that he will give the supporters of Liverpool a better message than the one he did for Chelsea TV on Tuesday. I don't think he actually meant that Liverpool are not a top club, and I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt on that one, as English is his second language. I wouldn't mind a Luis Garcia type of send off. They way Liverpool treated him Liverpool deserved it.

So I don't wish Fernando luck but I don't wish him ill will. It's not the way Liverpool supporters should conduct themselves. I told my six year old (she loved him) about the news. It was hard on me and her but I told her it's not the name on the back of the shirt, it's the badge on the front that Liverpool support. That when Liverpool see him on TV in Chelsea blue that Liverpool don't boo, Liverpool don't applaud, Liverpool just ignore him.

Liverpool's new owners have demonstrated a clear intent in this transfer window. Of course £35 million on an unproven player is way too much money. Yes Liverpool over-paid but let's remember that just a few months ago Liverpool had a relic running the club and were spending that much money on interest payments! Even without Torres Liverpool are in much better shape than the club was four months ago.

Liverpool collected £50 million pounds and spent £58 million and Liverpool got younger. I don't know how Suarez and Carroll will turn out but I'm excited to see how it looks. If Liverpool continue to invest in players hopefully the club can make Torres regret his decision to leave.

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Comments

Posted by mike on 02/01/2011

Thats awfully nice of you!I think you'll find that your very much in the minority

Posted by lee on 02/01/2011

Well said, my sentiments exactly. Torres was great for Liverpool and myself and my kids will truly miss him. I do believe their is a deeper reason behind his departure, something Liverpool will be forever thankful for in the way of suarez and carroll, but only time will tell. He was very sad to leave but i think the management know the real reason. God bless you Fernando, thanks for the memories and good luck for the future.

Posted by paul on 02/01/2011

we will all miss nando

thank you for all the good times

good luck my friend

Posted by DJ on 02/01/2011

Well said!

Posted by onbeyondzebra on 02/01/2011

Well said. Torres always was a bit aloof for my liking, but he is one of the best players of his generation and I'm glad he got to wear the Liverpool red for the best years of his career.

Furthermore, if I were "director of football strategy" this situation is not the worse of all worlds. I rather think Torres will be his old self for the next 12 - 18 months or so, but will decline sharply after that. In recent memory, most 17 year old attacking fenoms that rely on pace burn out about 10 years after they explode on the scene (Owen, Raul, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka etc.). If Chelsea win anything substantial on the back of Torres, it will be difficult to see - but the true test of yesterday will be in 2 to 3 years from now where (hopefully) Saurez and Carroll are still potting goals for fun, and Torres has been long sold for £ 10 mil. to sit on A.C. Milan's bench.

Best of luck to Saurez and Carroll...

Posted by Fawad on 02/01/2011

You sum up my views absolutely perfectly. I am saddened and disappointed by the outrage of many 'fans'. The burning of shirts, is absolutely unacceptable.

Fernando was, and continues to be one of my favourite players in the game (Thomas Muller being another :)). I do not blame him for leaving. He was a fantastic servant of the club, and gave us some fantastic memories and goals.

I also don't think that he meant any disrespect to the club when he said what he said at Chelsea TV. I for one will always remember the great memories he gave us, and I also wish him success in his pastures.

We as supporters of Liverpool Football club will move on, and we have two new fantastic strikers (albeit one being slightly unproven and overpriced), but a new age has come with Kenny, and we can look forward to great times ahead.

Also, to those who doubted our owners, I hope your concerns have been alleviated. Bring on Stoke City. I cannot wait for Sunday, either!

Posted by James on 02/01/2011

I think the most die hard Liverpool fans will thank him for what he did for 2 out of the 3.5yrs. Maybe he needed a new challenge but there are things that you can't simply forget which is why there is so much annoyance. Body language, attitude, sulking, declaration that he was staying, loved the club etc etc. Then he has blown it today with the 'big club', 'moving to win things', 'my destiny to score against Liverpool' comments. He could simply have said that he needed a new challenge - he is either dim or doesn't give a toss about Liverpool and is a self-centred money grabber. If he does score I wouldn't be surprised if he kisses the Chelsea badge. The man has shown little integrity thus far and I'm actually glad he has gone.

Posted by Oomesh Seesaran on 02/01/2011

Wonderful piece of article Kevin.

It was heartbreaking and I fell sick when I heard of Nando's desire to leave us a few days back. But as someone wrote lastly : Had Torres left earlier maybe we would not have got Suarez for only 22.8 m. Ajax would have been more greedy..
I also got Dhruv, my 7-year-old son prepared psychologically about teh sad news. He was very down too as a born LFC fan. But I made him watch Suarez talents and skills on You tube. He is starting to 'live' without Nando. Every body of us should. It's a new paradigm...Suarez, Caroll and the others.
Be brave. Let us face it. We shall NOT be able to forget Nando easily. But let us all wish him GOOD LUCK at Chelsea!! And more importantly let us pray that GOD bless Kenny and all lovely LFC fans worldwide and sucess returns to Anfield!!

Posted by Jack on 02/01/2011

Absolutely awful arguments.
1) The kop loved him and even backed him when he made it absolutely clear that he did not want to be hear. There is a thing called dignity. I completely understand that he wants to leave for trophies but why not wait for another 3.5 months. Why wait till there is only 48 hours for us to get a replacement? All the fans would still love him if he left the proper way.

2) Why say just 19 days ago how he was going to stay and then leave? That part is an utter disgrace.

3)How he made us into an attacking team? How about Liverpool taking a guy who scored only 13 goals a season and made him into probably the best striker on the planet.

4) Torres wanting to go to pastures new is ok. He is extremely talented and the clock is ticking on his career. Did you explain to your 6 year old that if they were in the same position that they should conduct themselves with more dignity and honesty. That no amount of money nor glory will ever replace heart and dignity?

Posted by Kutawa on 02/01/2011

Nice one! LFC will still be LFC.. YNWA

Posted by AreH on 02/01/2011

"Torres leaving Livrpool is 100% at the feet of"

Himself, the only reason he left was because "he" wanted out. He wasn't prepared to fight for this team/squad/club/fans.

He knew the club were chasing a player (Suarez) to be "his" strike partner, whilst knowing also he was about to demand a transfer and force himself out.

Don't you think that if he had any love or respect for LFC he would pull our manager to the side and say...

"listen mate, you're going after a player to compliment me, I am however going to leave in this window so maybe you'd want to rethink that move before spending a shedload of money"

I'm happy Torres got his move to a "big" club, like you I wish him no ill and I hope he can find happiness in his game. He was a great signing and he did us proud. He could of been a legend if he'd stayed, but thats life.

Liverpool would be a better team with a motivated Torres, Liverpool will be a better without a sulking player whose pining to play at a "bigger" club, gl FT.

Posted by RoyK on 02/01/2011

Yeah, he was a fantastic player, but Torres played only for himself, not for the club. This is understandable cos he's not from Liverpool, but that didn't prevent him from showing off like he did care for the club. So, if he did care, why did he wait 3 days before the transfer window closes? Only to force Liverpool's hand! He may not have let the club down ( due to mishandling by the previous regime) but he certainly did let the supporters down and that shouldn't be forgotten. I for one, will certainly not only not wish him well, but also wish him ill-luck. He will walk alone!

Posted by JimAyo Yusuf on 02/01/2011

Nice one i support u.

Posted by Hussein on 02/01/2011

Any player has the right to change club.. lots of great n important players hav done it in the past and nobody was angry as wen fernando left us.. simply bcoz these other players did it a good way, and at least had sme words to the fans bfore leaving. nando said so many things do not match what he has done by leaving liverpool. didnt he say dat liverpool is his english club wen will nver play for another english club? didnt he say that he love the fans , the club and will help us to come back to the top? he made us love him and most importantly belive him..trust him! he is jst a bloody liar. wasnt he himself who said two weeks ago that he gonna stay and honour his contract n isnt d type of players who do not fulfill their contract? was a great player like so many others who played for us b4.but the likes of berger,hamann and redknapp come in front, definitely. good he's gone

Posted by zilla on 02/01/2011

Good post. I couldn't agree more - he was a true star for us and I will cherish every one of the stunning goals he scored for us. I wish Nando the best of luck (except against us of course!).

Posted by Bekim on 02/01/2011

I totally agree with you. I told my 6 year old boy that Torres is gone. He loved him. Allways saying that he wants to be Torres when we play together. He is very sad that he's gone though. But life goes on. Its those idiots who brought Roy Hodgson to the club we have to thank.i dont blame him for wanting to go i just wished it was not them. I hoped that he would go abroad.If i was him and saw players like Konchesky and Poulsen being singed for LFC maybe i would not stay. Watching LFC tv last night i did not like what Aldrige was saying about Torres. I personally think that we would be better with Torres in the team than without him. I loved Torres at Liverpool and i will never hate him. How can you love someone one minute and hate them the next. He left Liverpool 30 million pounds profit unlike Owen who wanted to run his contract out. I still think that something big happened at Liverpool for him wanting to go.Hasta la vista El Nino.

Posted by mike on 02/01/2011

really good article . i feel same , gutted he gone and was devastated when i read about his transfer request but would have settled for carroll and suarez and like you say , squad is younger and also in my opinion , better . never forget what torres done for liverpool and we nearly won prem also but its in the past and we have to move on ,

Posted by RedNProud on 02/01/2011

Nice article and probably reflects the attitude of most true supporters. Nando gave us some fantastic memories and I wish him and his family all the best. In time I think he will come to realise the true cost of his move and just what he has given up.

Luis and Andy represent a firm commitment by FSG and the future is looking positive.

Posted by Benihill on 02/01/2011

Well said.

Thank you for the good times, Torres. If you stop United getting number 20 this season, then you will have done us one last favour...

Posted by James on 02/01/2011

Good article. Thanks for the memories nando, I understand your reasons, it's just the timing and the manner of your departure that hurts so much. You deserved a send off from Anfield in may and in better terms. I also agree that the language barrier played a part in the communication of your message and I do hope you clear it up.

A new era is beginning at Anfield and the cash from the sale has financed the beginning of a hopefully bright future for our mighty club.

Posted by dou on 02/01/2011

I agree. Just want to emphasize that by "a top Club" I don't think Torres meant disrespect Liverpool. What he meant, I think, and what he went on to say is that he wants to play for a team that is challenging ALL THE TIME for everything; a team that is in challenging in the Champion's League, that is not in relegation.

When it comes down to it, I think Torres loves and is in love with Liverpool's history, and part of what it means for a club to be really big, for him, has to do with its history--he's a romantic lad. But he had to take actual facts--what silverware he would be challenging for--over history. Observe: he would have been using HIS PRIME years to help rebuild Liverpool, not to challenge for silverware: he had good reason for believing that, for as Liverpool fans are always noting, the midfield must be rebuilt. It needs to be rebuilt. Mascherano, as good as he was, is on the bench at Barca! Leiva is part of the creative midfield--what hope is there in that!

Posted by jai on 02/01/2011

well said.....
i do believe it will be a mikey owen scenario and torres will be left to regret his decision...
and this in effect should be enough for us supporters to feel are well desearved friend karma once again..
i dont think torres will be the cream on top when it comes to his move n can actualy see him moving to spain (athletico) by next jan window.. if still going that is.. chelsea are ageing so much so i dont think there money can save them on that front n feel the ever lasting effect of jose mouriniho is still slowly fading and that they believe torres will lift there team confidence but i think it wont...
how evr torres is past suarez is the future n im all excited to see this man play his debut n to see if he can bring a good partnership with kuyt till our andy caz gets fit..

Posted by ste on 02/01/2011

Well said Kevin. It's a shame that a handful of rat-faced scallies are getting publicity for the shirt burning episode, but such is life. Agree with most of what you said, there is much more to be optimistic about than dwelling on the reasons for and the manner of Nando's departure. I hope our fans on Sunday just ignore him and concentrate on getting behind the team.

Posted by tom on 02/01/2011

dont forget, we also sold babel earlier in transfer window for around 6-8mil. So my calculations, with romans oil money in our pocket, plus money from babel sale we come out about 1 million down.... and result. we get rid of babel *amazing potential, never delivered. Torres gone * Clearly did not want to be at our club,50million is great money. and we bring in suarez * Proven club, continental, and world class striker. We also get carroll * Sick of people using potential word, the lad can clearly play, and with king kenny guiding/mentoring him, i see good things ahead. think we have made big step forward as a club this window.

Posted by vanroy Edwards on 02/01/2011

wish him no ill filling but sure one day he will regret the day he left us be sure of that

Posted by Zohaib Salman on 02/01/2011

i think torres was right to go as his heart wasnt set on the job. The club has started to pull in one direction under king kenny and the first thing we require is commitment. Thanks for alls hes done for us and i am his big fan. Really looking forward to Suarez and Carroll teaming up. young quality players with hunger

Posted by Steviejay on 02/01/2011

Well said mate !!!! ............... I agree with you ! and yes , let's hope we make him regret leaving L.F.C.

Posted by Adam on 02/01/2011

great work. agree 100%.

YNWA

Posted by okyere on 02/01/2011

nando exit is a big problem 4 me but i support de chrest not de names. liverpool we ll neva walk alone.

Posted by Adam on 02/01/2011

There has been much talk about this meaning Kenny is in for the long run. Do you agree? I love what he has done thus far just based on the Liverpool image. I think he has worked amazingly well with the new owners. Suarez was linked before Kenny but it would appear Carroll was his signing. Does giving him 35 million pounds all but announce that Kenny will be our man come next August?

Posted by Andrew on 02/01/2011

I can't agree more. While I feel as though we did overpay for Carroll, Chelsea definitely overpaid for Torres. Having spent such a small sum (in relative terms of course) for two young, decent strikers is a win in my book.

Posted by KAM on 02/01/2011

What you said was spot on Kevin. I was gutted when I herd he wanted to go to Chelsea but I don't blame him either. He stuck it through for as long as he could. Torres wants to win top honors and he saw it as his chance when he herd Chelsea were interested. I didn't like seeing our supporters burning the strip, did they forget the LFC crest is on the front? I have a LFC top with Torres' name and #9. I thought about having Rush put on the back. Just kidding :)

Anyways I believe this is a change for a good for the club and for the supporters. Lets see what King Kenny can do for us and trying to secure a high place in the table.

YNWA

Posted by Scleto_Uno on 02/01/2011

Just wanted to say that we will all miss Torres. He's a top rate striker and kept us in the race for the title his first 2 years with the club. The fact of the matter is, once Alonso and Mascherano left, there was no supply. Gerrard acts as a striker from the midfield and when those two left it created a huge gap between the back line and Torres. Add in Woy and recent injuries, he had a huge problem. Never-the-less, I relish the chance to see Suarez and Carroll up top for us. We finally have a traditional striker and Suarez can play off him. On the business end of this transfer window, we broke even. We sold Torres and Babel and brought in Suarez and Carroll for the same price...Good Business. NESV has my full support and hopefully we can bring in a left-sided midfielder and maybe a CB. we'll see. First thing's first...Let's try to get that 4th spot (highly unlikely considered the point difference and 14 games left). Until then, King Kenny and the Reds YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE

Posted by Paddy Rose on 02/02/2011

Well said; I agree completely. It's the Club. YNWA

Posted by Tom on 02/02/2011

Very well put sir. I can't see myself ever wearing my Torres jersey again, but neither would I ever destroy it. The memories he gave me will last a lifetime. I'm excited for where this club is headed in the coming months. While losing Torres is a massive blow, the gray clouds seem to be finally clearing over Anfield.

Posted by Louis on 02/02/2011

I don't se much intent from the owners yet, at the end we had 57m in and 57m out

Posted by conor on 02/02/2011

i'm a big liverpool fan and i completely agree with your perspective. can't wait for the showdown with chelsea!

Posted by Ken on 02/02/2011

Well writen Kevin, i feel the same way and we failed to address most needs, but we have two young strikers that have had good scoring records. I am worried as well about Carroll he has half a season of premeirship football experience and i hope he matures under Kenny. I wish he would quit about how he already misses Newcastle and focus on playing football for us. Cheers mate.

Posted by fairuz on 02/02/2011

dont worry lads..

since torres joined liverpool, the club hasnt won any trophy at all. we only have the torres-gerrard strikeship to brag about for 3 years.. hey!

now since he left, i realized that he had not spent a complete season without being either off-form(the complaining, sulking, arguing, lose possesion) or sidelined for injury.

all lfc fans must not hold grudge on torres as hopefuly he left with hope that lfc can grow better with the money of his sale.. who knows, this club might just be better off without him ay?

Posted by Umunna Jerry on 02/02/2011

Torres i will never forget you, your memories against chelsea was good but you should have respected us by not moving to another barclays pre league club 'chelsea'. you broke my heart when i saw it the news on the TV. I Pray that you will come El naino, you live in heart.

Posted by john on 02/02/2011

Glad moment wt u kid... wish all d best 4u in blue shirt... we know who u are... YNWA 4LIFE...

Posted by Abhishek Bhatra on 02/02/2011

Well thats a sensible attitude to have. I have seen the comments made by Liverpool supporters regarding Torres. It is the name and badge on the front that true football fans support and not the name at the back. Good one mate.

Posted by Kirk on 02/02/2011

Great piece, balanced point of view...I will still cheer him on in Chelseas pursuit of keeping Man Utd from collecting that elusive last championship to overtake liverpool as record title holders.
Kirk

Posted by ASM on 02/02/2011

kev,i agree wholeheartedly with the above. he was special and the reasons for him deciding to leave was so obvious and the persons to blame are rightly so - the previous owners and purslow.
as a person or human being i can understand how he must have felt and gone through especially having played in the same team as xavi, david villa, iniesta and puyol to name a few. he must have compared this list against liverpool's teamsheets and not to mention the clueless and tactical ineptness demonstrated during roy's tenure.

on the contrary, i wish to say that i sincerely wish him the best for him only to exclude games against LFC....

thanks kev for the article and i will also miss nando....oops i am already missing him!

Posted by Simon on 02/02/2011

Hi Kevin,
I cannot agree with you more on your insightful analysis of the situation at LFC. Carroll was definitely over-priced; but with a nett spending of only 8M, I can't wait to see what money will be available in the Summer, and hopefully attracting one or two big names to join the club.

Posted by Andrew Jacob on 02/02/2011

Very goos write up Kevin. I too thought that it was a bit extreme to forget his contribution to the club and to just vilify him. He could have left earlier, but probably thought I'll give it 6 months. Would have loved to have seen him and Suarez together. Anyway hopefully he'll do a Garcia or a Riise send off. I think he gave his best for us for the whole time (though some may say he was disinterested in the last few months) but the lack of service made him average.
Anyway, good luck Nando. You've done us proud right up to before the transfer request. Thanks for the goals and the memories. Just be a bit more careful what you say to the press as its not coming across to well at the moment.

Posted by Kes on 02/02/2011

Well said, Kevin. Looking forward to how we play with Carroll (when fit) and Suarez up front - it certainly gives us more options. Also good to see the club have some more ambition.

Posted by Ben on 02/02/2011

Good words. The media likes to play with words and they would love to spice up things between chelsea and liverpool or liverpool fans and torres. If we lfc supporters let ourselves or displaying negativity(eg burning out torres shirt).It will affect the team and players. the only winners would be manU.
I was really upset with the news and for the past week or so but now I do look foward to having 2 good strikers, potentially , with time, better than Torres himself.

Posted by 4reaLiverpool on 02/02/2011

I was so shocked when Torres left. He was well on his way to becoming a kop legend. But winning the Champions League was more inportant. He didn't have faith in Liverpool and now I don't have faith in him!

Posted by LIVERPOOLEE on 02/02/2011

NO LFC FAN WILL DENY THAT HE WAS A GREAT STRIKER.BUT TORRES WAS NOT A TRUE FOOTBALLER,HE NEVER GAVE 100% IN THE LAST 1.5 OR 2 YEARS AND IT IS SAD THAT REDKNAPP CAME OUT TAGGING HIM AS DIABOLICAL. YES THE SAME LAD WHO TOOK A FAT PAYCHEQUE FROM LFC WHILE BEING INJURED MOST OF THE TIME.I GUESS IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE.

Posted by Naresh on 02/02/2011

I agree with your comments. He committed to us in the Summer when he could have left. Things haven't gone to plan since then - we now have better owners and a true red manager, but its a bit late for Torres though - as a world class striker he needs to be playing Champions League Football and we are 1-2 seasons away from getting back there. I want to thank him for his efforts at LFC - and i do believe that the comments the press are making is not a true reflection on how he feels. As you said he should come out and clear the air on this point. We will miss him, but we must remember that he didn't run out on us at the first sign of trouble - ony when things got worse did he go.

having said that i am glad to see Kenny getting in to world class strikers and the new owners supporting Kenny with money as he needs.

Posted by faiz on 02/02/2011

nice article man....
i was dropping in tears when torres holding the chelsea jcy....
your article really wakes me up..
ya we are not supporting the name on the back but we support the badge in front .....
YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE MATE...
CHEERS FROM MALAYSIA...........

Posted by Simon Muggeridge on 02/02/2011

I'm a life long Liverpool Supporter and I agree with everything you said. He brought myself and my family so much joy and I'm glad he played for us. Now he is a Chelsea player and that's that. Don't forget he also said on the Chelsea site that he will never say anything bad about Liverpool. The comments he made about Chelsea were about Chelsea, and to be honest at the moment weren't far from the truth. However I believe that will change over the next season and he will rue this day. Thanks for everything Nando YNWA

Posted by sam on 02/02/2011

I feel sorry for your blindness. Benetiz, under the mask of poor owners, ruined your team with random transfer purchases, poor training sessions that caused injuries (surprising how Kewell is suddenly injury free since leaving Liverpool, look it up!), poor squad and tactical selections etc. When it all went wrong however he refused to accept the blame and passed it on to an easy target, the owners. Just like he did at Valencia and tried to do at Inter (who are suddenly 6 wins out of 7 under their new coach, go figure).
I hope Liverpool can return themselves to their former glory but it will not be a quick process. It will take years to remove the rot from the Benetiz era.

Posted by Azhar on 02/02/2011

it's true enough..

Posted by brian on 02/02/2011

My dear blogger, having accidentally stumbled upon your column, it has become immediately glaring that you practically have zero readership and zero following. I am not entirely certain why this the case considering that you blog for such a 'top club' like liverpool fc with fans who never let their folk walk alone. So on your behalf, I would like to encourage your fellow kop to show your column some love, and even if they might regard your views as shite, or probably the whole club as shite, I think they should utilise your forum and vent their frustrations. Your write-up's, from the few I've looked at, are a bit bland and preachy, a nice old fashioned verbal slugfest accompanying them, just like a footnote for the disparaging masses should be interesting. No?

Posted by AzharMy on 02/02/2011

it's true enough.. we applaud when he score us a goal..that's when we feed him with a clear vision.. but now.. it seems vague.. bye nando.. as u said "not the name on the back of the shirt, it's the badge on the front that Liverpool support".. YNWA

Posted by BB on 02/02/2011

yes! well put, finally some common sense.... and I am also hoping for something more from Torres to the Pool supporters.

Posted by Pat on 02/02/2011

Have you actully ever watched a game of football in your life. You are an idiot. Torres is a busted up has been. You said it yourself good for 2 of 3 and a half years and dreadful for one and a half. He is on the down side of his carear at 26 the players we have bought are on the up side. He is washed up with every injury you can get. Christ he gets the flu if he trains. Torres went because he wanted to play champions league. Sorry but Chelsea will not qualify for next season. the next time Cheslea play Champions league will well after torres has retired. They are an old team on the way down. And a good chance down will out of the premier league. Once the rich Russian has grown bored and they have gone broke with the new rules it will be blue in the Chanpionship. Sorry Torres thats as close as you will get to Champions league. Remember before Torres Chanpions league winners, FA cup Winners since Torres Nothing no silverware not even brass. The best we got from him the 50 mill.

Posted by Mark on 02/02/2011

This is a very classy post and is in true Liverpool spirit. Torres was a great player for us. Unfortunately he felt he need a change. I wish him well. However I also agree that the future looks good with the 2 latest signings. Lets hope they fit in and make a good confident start.

Posted by aziz on 02/02/2011

bye2 torres, tq very much but now we hate u very2 much.......................

Posted by peter on 02/02/2011

Torres ran out of patience and bailed to a club that was opening courting him all summer. He was expecting two or three big signings and Suarez and Adams (even if it had gone through) just wasn't enough. Like the nice person he is, he held back until his replacement was secured(unlike a certain Argentinian who just ran off).

Posted by bob anosike on 02/02/2011

WHEN I FIRST HEARD OF CHELSEA'S INTEREST IN TORRES,I THOUGHT HIS LEAVING WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE BUT THAT IS FOOTBALL,PLAYER COMES PLAYER GOES.I STILL REMAIN A LIVERPOOL FAN AND I WISH TORRES WHAT HE WISHES HIMSELF.HE IS A GREAT PLAYER.

Posted by Davin on 02/02/2011

I have to agree with your comment. Its hard to see him go but then he belongs up there with the best fighting for Titles and not the relegation.
We promised him Champions League but instead we were fighting for survival. Hodgson was the final nail in the coffin. He was not ready to handle LFC. He made us look like Fulham. He is a relegation battle specialist. LFC is not!! We belong at the Top END!!!
Torres could see it was getting worst by the day thus leaving now was a best he could think. He was a loaner up front most of the time. We expected magic from him in each. We tend to forget at times that he was only human.
Remember! There will only be one Steven Gerrard. The symbol of absolute loyalty!!!
Hopefully he will not regret his decision like how Owen did!!! To forget the pain LFC must start to win, win ,win and win all the way.
As big as Chelsea is, they are just fraction of the legacy Liverpool has achieved.

Posted by PGD on 02/02/2011

Kevin, love the way you explained it to your girl! He's gone now, and we only worry about who is around. Excited for Suarez and Carroll was a favourite of mine at Newcastle but the problem will be how they fit in so immediately. Mid-season revival may stall a little waiting for them to gel up front. On the other hand, the way Meireles has been playing any striker can fit right in if they are given some great chances early on.

Posted by ENAWORE DAVID on 02/02/2011

I feel the same way the writer do, i was really hard on me too, i loved him so much. he always made me proud of liverpool. But then he is gone. Liverpool fans pls dont boo him any day. he made us proud. i believed he loved anfield. I still believe our new signings can stand up to the challenge. WE NEVER WALK ALONE...................

Posted by EverRed on 02/02/2011

First of all, who is this Torres guy you are talking about? Anyway, don't forget we sold Babel as well, even if it was for precious little cash. Considering that the previous owners actually made a 10m profit in terms of buying/selling players, we can indeed be happy now, despite paying perhaps 10m too much for Carrol..the squad is surely much stronger now!

Posted by Marlon on 02/02/2011

Agreed, but it's hard to take. Under Dalglish we looked to be turning the corner. Why he wasn't put at the helm when he offered to do the job last year is beyond me.I must admit it would be great karma to pip them to fourth starting with a win on Sunday. With Champions league football it would be lovely to finally get players like Ashley Young in the summer.

Posted by Mike on 02/02/2011

Wouldn't have been able to invest had he not left.

Posted by Sam Ho on 02/02/2011

You said it well! You said it all! That's what a true Liverpool supporter is. You'll Never Walk Alone....

Posted by Abdus Khan on 02/02/2011

Great perspective Kevin!
One thing though, Torres didn't leave in a dignified way- he owes our supporters the kindness, affection and adulation that we've shown him all along even when he was going through torrid times (past 18 months) by his own lofty standards! Not even a "Thank you"!!! Where is the class in that? That's one reason I won't miss him!

Posted by jansen law on 02/02/2011

TORRES MAY HAVE LEFT BUT WE WILL CLIMPUP THE TABLE THANKSTO THE SIGNING OF A.CAROLL AND LUIS SUAREZ

Posted by Edmond on 02/02/2011

Generally agree with you, but I would wish him all the best. I won't forget all his contributions to Liverpool in the past few years. I do feel hurt for his departure, but I can't expect player of his quality to spend his golden years with us waiting for the success of our reconstruction.

Wish him stay healthy, keep his best form and get his deserved achievements.

Posted by festy on 02/02/2011

I absolutely agree with you. to the rest of the players sunday is a time to make a statement to torres the same we made to owen when we went ahead to win the champions league the very season michael left anfield to madrid. come on kops w can do , the pressure will on torres but do a double like you have done before.wish you well on sunday at stamford bridge.

Posted by Zul on 02/02/2011

Initially, i couldn't accept Torres decision to leave. But after reading your piece ( and good written one also!), i realised that we put a whole lot of load on his shoulder alone. But the nature of his departure made any Reds supporters bleed and hurt. Like Daglish said " Not a single player is above the team and club".

Posted by brijoes on 02/02/2011

Well, i guess u cudnt have said it any better than that kevin..

Posted by Rossco on 02/02/2011

Good article, I believe we will all forget el nino when our new signings show us we can which, I hope, will happen in the next few matches and we end up affecting not only the Champions Leaguer race but also the title race. We'll move on not because we have to, but because we always do. YNWA.

Posted by Noah on 02/02/2011

You loved him, didn't you? We all once loved him. He disrespected the club and his heart is clearly with Chelsea. We wouldn't have sold him but he opted to leave and life has to go on—and it will. Let's see what happens with Stoke. We made Torres who he is today and I wish he had the same attitude as yours in saying goodbye. We need fit players who can last the distance that just shine a few games against big teams.

Posted by Azza Mac on 02/02/2011

Though we never thought that we could lose [you]
There's no regret
If we had to do the same again
We would, my friend, Fernando

Posted by Moses Mbonigaba on 02/02/2011

I support you 100%. Torres was right to move on his side but it was bad for the team. He also gets a high pay now compared to what he was getting at Anfield. He should however send us a message that we deserve. We have been his supporters on and out of form.

Posted by Chris on 02/02/2011

As a man utd supporter, let me say that this is the most level-headed piece of writing i've ever seen from a red scouse fan. People burning shirts of ex-players what a joke! Well done!

Posted by anan on 02/02/2011

Whatever it is, thanks to Torres for all the goals he scored for us, and at the same time, sooner or later he gonna regret on his decision to move out from the great club & supporters because we only know one thing - YOU WILL NEVER WALK ALONE - doesnt matter 3 or 1 or 0 points, we the supporters always behind the team singing which you wont get from any other clubs in this world. 'Good' bye Torres!

Posted by Corazon4 on 02/02/2011

if he would have gone to Manchster United, he could have success. with Chelsea it is the same as with Liverpool. the one is to far down, the other to far depending on money, so that doesnt work out for none of them.

Posted by YNWA on 02/02/2011

yup u are so true . im pretty gutted and sad when i heard he's really leaving at first i thought it was just those rumours. the more i think about it the sad i became but keny was right no one is bigger than the club i hope this sunday if nando does score against us(i really think he will) he would not celebrate wildly . YNWA

Posted by Gabriel on 02/02/2011

Agree with Kevin. Will miss Nando for his style of play and for his goals in a Liverpool shirt. It was such a joy watching Nando score those fantastic goals! Wish him success at Chelsea but not when it is against Liverpool.

Posted by V. on 02/02/2011

Agree with just about everything you said.
Very well written, Kevin.

Posted by Dima on 02/02/2011

Agree with every single word.

Posted by Arizona Kop on 02/02/2011

Well said Kevin. A big gamble on Carroll, but only time will tell if it was the right choice. Hopefully the summer transfer market will give the new owners another opportunity to add more quality behind the strikers.

As I see it, we are in a 3 year re-build phase, including the new stadium. Once we have a better revenue stream, it should be relatively easier to attract, pay for, and retain top talent.

YNWA

Posted by Brandon on 02/02/2011

Great Article......well said, lets move forward on our way back to the top......we have great new owners, a great manager and a healthy budget to work with. The future is brighter than it was a year ago!!!

Posted by speke airport on 02/02/2011

Fernando was one player I enjoyed watching . Was he indispensible to Liverpool ? No, He is ambitious and a want away ...until he's no longer a Liverpool player . 50 million pounds ? is a lot of money and if I want to watch Fernando ? Well I still can...and I don't mind watching Chelsea or any team that plays good , quality , football. So Adios & Good luck to Senor Torres , and with Drogba along side , I expect you will fit in rather well at the Bridge .Hopefully the fee on your head bought useful replacements

Posted by speke airport on 02/02/2011

Posted by Will on 02/02/2011

Will you also give him the benefit of the doubt given that a mere two weeks ago he pledged loyalty to LFC saying that he will honour his contract ? Me thinks not .......... he is a fabulous player but also only a greedy footballer. He gets paid 110K per week and then sulks and looks disinterested....WTF ? Hope he trips on a Chelsea pensioner.

Posted by Mike on 02/02/2011

Gotta, say, nice words. I've been calling Torres Judas since his transfer request, but I suppose I have warmed up a little to a potential Suarez/Carroll frontline, since we essentially "traded" Torres for both of them, and to be fair, Torres has not looked a great player again until the last couple weeks and in fact early in the season he was seriously destroying every decent chance we had to score with his awful form. And if we had to keep depending on his dodgy groins to carry us, we'd have not gotten far enough. ugh, Hicks, Gillette, Hodgson. We have sold Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and now Torres within 2 years, and Aquilani to Juve in the summer :( I really wanted to see Torres/Suarez though! please get Coentrao in the summer! then we can see Johnson as right wing since he sucks at defense. Kuyt is soooo slow.

Posted by Roy Sperling on 02/02/2011

You are absolutely correct. Torres deserves more from Liverpool fans. I wish he would have waited until the end of the season, given Kenny a chance, although Champions League is too far for this season, it would have been an intersting partneship with Luis. However he has gone and we must not be bitter. Unfortunately for over 2 years we have been let down by uncaring owners that did not invest in the club to ensure the likes of Gerrard and Torres and Reina would not consider moving.Hodgson was never the right man for Liverpool. NESV are in place now and they will make Liverpool great again even without Fernando. Torres goals for Liverpool are what should be remembered, especially the ones against Chelsea. He was and still is a class act, a true Legend according to most Scouse fans not too long ago on the web-site. Lets not forget that Liverpool supporters are the most knowlegable supporters. Lets not forget what Torres gave to Liverpool. Farewell Torres you will be remembered for ever.

Posted by Wilbur on 02/02/2011

Torres to regret decision!

While Torres may not have noticed, Abramovich did. Chelsea is a club in decline and in need of massive investment on the eve of UEFA financial rules.

See the ages of their best players:Terry 30, Drogba 32, Anelka 31, Malouda 30, Cole 30, and Lampard 32.

They have an aging squad that have a very fast closing window of opportunity for winning trophies. And with the fair play rules coming into effect it will be interesting to see how much they can invest in new young, high quality players.

Liverpool did the smart thing buying young players before the rules come into effect. Liverpool actually made a profit or broke even on transfers when one includes the Babel deal. So they got two young promising strikers with no detrimental effect to their financial position.

The years ahead will be interesting but Chelsea looks like a club in trouble. Best positioned age wise are Arsenal, Man City, and Man Utd, with Liverpool following suit now. Your Thoughts?

Posted by Pramod on 02/02/2011

Thanks for the most mature write up on the whole Torres to Chelsea saga. He's done great things for LFC, and as a neutral and I only wish there were more fans like you.

Posted by dean on 02/02/2011

i care about chelsea...

round of applause there man, showing true sportsmanship!

Posted by Robert on 02/02/2011

Very well written Kevin. Thanks for the memories Torres, but Ob-la-di Ob-la-da: Life Goes On...

Posted by Tomi-Finland-Liverpool supporter on 02/02/2011

I feel just the same... Suarez and Carroll together must be better than torres alone. And my opinion is that Suarez is more versatile player than Torres and i believe he will be a massive player for Liverpool. And i loved Torres too but hes gone now and i agree that we should ignore him in the future, Liverpool is moving on and i am too. We have bright future ahead with our new owners, they are starting to show it...
Just remember youll never walk alone.

Posted by Tony Z on 02/02/2011

I like Tores, but all it takes is just one injury and that $100M could be a huge waste of money.
Look at the number of serious injuries in the Premier League over the past few seasons and it is pretty scary. Many players seem to never fully recover from bad knocks.
Torres has had his share recently (remember his non-world cup)and he is now just a couple of years from being 30.

Posted by Steven on 02/02/2011

So, who exactly is the greatest manager since Dalglish to whom you are referring?

Posted by Daniel Munsell on 02/02/2011

That was an amazing article and I agree with what you said. I am sick of people hating on Torres because he left us, but how can we blame him? He was the only person who we relied on to score, and we are not in the top four of the league, and we have not won any trophies during the time he has been here. Although I think the time he left was harsh because it was right at the end of the transfer window, I still repsect him. He had a great 3 years with us, and I think with him leaving and two great young strikers coming in, Liverpool can only get better and mentally stronger.

Posted by K on 02/02/2011

Kevin,

As a neutral fan, it's great to see some rationale in your article. But I also understand the disappointments felt by Reds fans from what the player has said on his first interview with Chelsea, that he has joined a top club. I think it was disrespectful to his former club to a certain extent. He also said he enjoyed playing against Chelsea as he was motivated by the big occassion. That puts his professionalism into question because, as a player, he was supposed to put in a shift whether it is against Barcelona or Stoke City.

Posted by steven on 02/02/2011

www.soccerphilejoel.blogspot.com

well written blog, another take on the Torres departure.

Posted by Gordon Barron on 02/02/2011

Great piece. I'm a life long suporter from New Zealand. I'm gutted to see Torres go but fully agree with what you're saying. I also have a six year old girl who doesn't understand why he wants to play for the blue team. I will repeat what you have said, I know she'll get it as have I. I will miss you Torres(hopefully not for long) but I love you Liverpool and I won't leave you.

Posted by Naoki Willgus on 02/02/2011

I completely agree with you! Torres did a lot for the club and he did not deserve to get his jersey burned. Torres was committed, and it was Liverpool who could not stay committed to Torres. He has more supporting players at Chelsea and I'll always be a fan of the number 9. But I really believe Liverpool has what it takes to make him regret his move.

Posted by EDWIN NIGERIA on 02/02/2011

Well i wasn't happy when i heard of TORRES going to chelsea. So to me is a very sad story altogether, above all thing i wish him success in his football carrer wherever he GO. GREAT LIVERPOOL FOREVER, GREAT NEVER WALK ALONE.

Posted by P Kraj on 02/02/2011

Well said. Torres leaving, to me, is something that was unavoidable. The only bad that I can put on him is that he only put in the transfer request two-three days before the end of the window.

On Carroll, I hope for his and our sake that he does well. 35 million is too much, but we want to get 6th and challenge for 5th, which, as much as I like N'gog and think he has potential, will not happen with him as our only true out-and-out striker.

Posted by John McHale on 02/02/2011

Well Said. I agree that no Liverpool supporter should boo Nando whenever he plays against his former team and shame on the idiots that burn a LFC jersey no matter who's name is on the back. Just to correct your tally on the spending, adding in the six million for Babel we spent just over 1.5 million pounds more than we took in.

Posted by Justin on 02/02/2011

Agreed! Though very disappointed he decided to leave, I harbour no bitterness against him. It's understandable, he waited many many years at Athletico to be able to challenge for top honours, and left them for us. If he's willing to step away from his boyhood club where he played since the age of 10, what more Liverpool? His eyes are set on the Champions League in my opinion, and he can't go to Barca and especially not Real because that would be betrayal to Athletico. I'd have preferred he had gone to somewhere outside of England, but honestly, for him to challenge for the CL, there aren't many choices. We didn't do ourselves any favours by performing poorly. Gutted, and as you say I do not despise him or have any feelings of ill-will towards him, I hope he does not succeed football-wise, except against MU perhaps :P

Posted by Karim on 02/02/2011

Thank you for this. I was so sad and angry to see nando leave lfc but more so because of the timing. For my children and I his face is Liverpool and the thought of him in Chelsea blue makes me sick. But I completely agree with all your points safe your admiration for Benitez who in my opinion was partly responsible for our down turn. When most lfc fans use to say in Benitez we trust I firmly held on to in lfc I trust.
Anyway reading your thoughts made me feel a lot better not mention beating Stoke 2-0.

Regards

Karim

Posted by Andrew on 02/02/2011

Well said.

Posted by James on 02/02/2011

As usual, Sir, beautifully written with the right sentiment, intelligence and respect.

Well said.

james

Posted by Kauser on 02/03/2011

Agree with the financials - spent 58 million to get a big strapping centre forward based on potential and a crafty forward who scores a lot of goals - earned 50 million on a lean racehorse forward + 5 million on a race horse that didn't know the finish line (Babel!!) So, zero sum game. But, imagine Carroll terrorising defenses - heading into the goal or into the path of Suarez. Meireles and Gerrard joining in and Kuyt re-discovering his forward instincts under Kenny. Not to mention if we can ever get Joe Cole or Maxi going, and the support Kenny has brought the attackers from the wing backs. It is exciting to watch Liverpool again - for the first time since when we finished second with the Reina-Alonso-Mascherano-Gerrard-Torres nexus. Loved Torres' play but these owners from Boston are shrewd - they let go unhappy players at the Red Sox and won World Championships - but ensured they got good value for letting the best go - they have done that here again!

Posted by asad on 02/03/2011

actually its break even when u consider babel torres for suarez carroll. Its a slight upgrade overall as torres needed a change and didnt have the same kind of hunger that i hope caroll and suarez to have and i dont need to talk abt babel. We overpaid for Carroll but torres isnt a 50 million pound player either but then who is aside from messi or ronaldo.

Posted by Andy on 02/03/2011

Maybe I'm a cynic but the only reason Torres didn't leave in the summer was his injury holding Chelsea back from pulling the trigger.

Ever since things started to go downhill in the tables for the club last year, I felt as if Torres acted like he was too good for the club and too good for the rest of the players. Like the star player of a school boys team who rolls his eyes every time a teammate screws up.

Leaders and admirable characters don't act that way.

Posted by carlos on 02/03/2011

Im not a liverpool fan, but well said.. the name on the front is more important than any name on the back, by burning his name your also burning your club..
regroup together and maybe rejoice over gary Nevilles retirement...

Posted by chika on 02/03/2011

Liverpool should take it cos this is football. They should respect torres decision to join chelsea,after all they should not foget how they treated luis garcia and milian baros. Life is not perfect so it is good we share the happy moments that we bring into it. This is football.

Posted by george on 02/03/2011

I'm glad you didn't rip into him, I'm glad Liverpool got the money they did. Showed that we are a better team then Chelsea because as much I love Torres I think he is predictable at times and teams find it easy to get him out of the game.
He had one good season with us, don't be mistaken there.. The rest was an injury riddled frustration. I am confident that he will spend was too much time on the Chelsea bench and he would mainly be a second string player. Time will tell.

Posted by Lo Sconosciuto on 02/03/2011

Looks a bargain to me, really, as Torres' propensity for injury will only increase as he ages. The overpayment is 50 mil for a player in decline who was never as good as his reputation.

Posted by Dun on 02/03/2011

For the last 3 and a half years, Fernando was probably my 2nd favourite player for Liverpool behind Stevie G. It was so comforting knowing that you have a world class striker on your side, and I was gutted that he chose to leave.

Having said that, he did give us 50 million to spend and we've got 2 excellent strikers. Carroll and Suarez may not be world class just yet, but they definitely have the potential. I'm torn between hating Torres for what he did or thanking him for his past contributions to the club. However uneasy for me to say so, I hope King Kenny can guide the club to Champions League as soon as possible and make Torres eat his words..and regret his decision the same way Owen probably did in 2005.

I would have hoped that the press highlighted Torres' whole speach and not just use the implied "Liverpool is not a top club" impression. Probably they wanted to spice up the whole thing, as they always do. After all Torres did say that he'd never say anything bad about us.

Posted by A on 02/03/2011

Liverpool actually got 57 million, if you count babel

Posted by Andy Barnes on 02/03/2011

Burning his shirt was stupid, but I understand those being disappointed in Torres. Yes he's been a fantanstic player for us, but his lack of form and interest are part of the reason that we're not really part of the Champions' League conversation. The previous owners and manager were useless. Hodgson's tactics, the less said the better, but the fact is that Torres missed a lot of chances that a player of his caliber and wages should have put in the back of the net, costing us points and places in the table.

We probably overspent on Carroll, but Chelsea overspent on Torres, so in effect we were just a conduit for Roman's extra cash to Newcastle. If Carroll somehow gets us to Champions' League (stranger things have happened), he'll seem a bargain.

I liked Suarez in the World Cup, and I liked what I saw in his half=hour on the pitch tonight. Energy, skill, and some hard work. I'm enthustiastic and I haven't felt that way about LFC for most of the season.

Posted by paul on 02/03/2011

"They way Liverpool treated him Liverpool deserved it."

"It's not the way Liverpool supporters should conduct themselves"

"Liverpool don't boo, Liverpool don't applaud, Liverpool just ignore him"

The Liverpool Way is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There is no other real club on earth; there has been only one club, one philosophy: THE ONE CLUB LIVERPOOL.

There, I've established your LIVERPOOL doctrine.

Posted by Vik on 02/03/2011

Spot on kevin. No true LFC fan should ever boo Nando. He has been incredible for liverpool, mainly in his first two years, the ray of light in the gloom. How many times, have I not jumped from the seat, thanks to his goals. Thanks Nando, I'll always remember your goals. Just do a last favour to all the Pool fans, help Chelsea beat the Mancs home and away. Thanks in advance.

Posted by Silvester Phua on 02/03/2011

A very measured & level-headed response to El Nino's departure. Totally agree. Torres was fantastic for us, & true fans will never forget that! I wish you well, Fernando, but not when you play against us, starting this Sunday!!

Posted by Jay on 02/03/2011

classy article. initially, it was hard to not feel a bit hard done by torres but that will soon fade. instead of dwelling on the past, it's time to focus our support behind our two new strikers.

Posted by B on 02/03/2011

Thank you for finally demonstrating what I had always hoped other Liverpool supporters were truly like. Showing class, showing intelligence an showing more integrity on behalf of the club we love.

Posted by Frankie on 02/03/2011

Your line 'it's not the name on the back of the shirt, it's the badge on the front that Liverpool support.' almost makes me cry.
Mordern footballing fans need to be reminded that no one is bigger than the club. I don't blame Torres leaving Liverpool - but I feel sad when you think of how Torres' goals and songs rock The Anfield not long ago, and now people are burning his shirt.

Posted by James Mwasha on 02/03/2011

Let us sucrifice him as the way happened to owen after leavin' us the next season we won the trophy and will happen nw again am sure next season we will the title

Posted by Chasisani Nyoni on 02/03/2011

True dat sir, we loved Torres so much but his move wasn't well timed so we need to ignore him and focus on our future with who we have. I mean Suarez and Carroll

Posted by Amit on 02/03/2011

Heavy heart to see El Nino leave and agree that he was absolutely a gem when we was around. As you say, just wish his message to the fans had been similar to Andy Carroll's message to Newcastle fans - would really hate to have to hate Nando after al the joy he gave us.

Posted by Pat on 02/03/2011

Yes Torres was a fantastic palyer for us. Just apity thet was acouple of years ago. Now just a broken down has been. Good bye and good riddence. Before Torres we won champions league, F A cup and since Torres nothing not a thing bugger all nought not a sausage well you get the picture. He is off now to the old people's home in lodon. Good luck Mr Torres you are going to need it.

Posted by John on 02/03/2011

Another media member who indulges the greed and selfishness of the modern footballer instead of crushing him for the same thing. How is his behavior anything more than the broodings of an overindulged and spoiled child? So he might not get to play in the CL for two years in a row. If he shut and concentrated on playing they could be on their way back to the CL with a Europa League title in their back pocket. He showed no class, no humility, no character, and no work ethic. When things got hard and people looked to him to help lift the heavy load, he skulked around the pitch and gave 50% effort at best. Six months and about 20 games is not enough time to fire a manager and declare him the worst thing since brussell sprouts, and I don't even like Woy. How can you blame the owners? Because they didn't give Torres a fat raise when he started crying? Too F%#^$#& Bad! It's called a contract for a reason. It's so obvious you hate Hodgson and were unwilling to give him a chance.

Posted by mbk on 02/03/2011

We can all agree that torres was a great player and he was my favourite. but the way he left the club alone, not caring anythin about liverpool's future but instead selfishly leavin them and going to play the so-called champions league. liverpool were going thru a bad stage but torres dint give a ShlT. Liverpool means You'll Never Walk Alone and he left Liverpool and their fans to walk alone. i hope chelsea gets knocked out of all their competitions and dont even qualify for champions league. Infact i hope Liverpool not only go to champs league but win it and rub it in his face. I also want Liverpool to thrash Chelsea in their upcoming encounter. and Suarez scores the goals and torres gets sent off

Posted by Rowan on 02/03/2011

True irony, of course, would be to see Chelsea (and Torres) excluded from the 2014-5 Champion's league for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, in part due to their lavish spending on Torres himself.

And to see Liverpool take their spot.

Now THAT would be perfect.

Posted by michael on 02/03/2011

Ehh, I think we're better off without him. Honestly the way was playing would have made him one of the worst strikers in the PL barring his reputation. He was so nasty in how he handled it all. He wasn't even trying in most of the matches, but then right when we play Chelsea and when the transfer window opens he all of a sudden plays better? That's not a coincidence.

Posted by LoveLFC on 02/03/2011

Good article. I hope the supporters don't "boo" Torres on Sunday, but I imagine they will. I admit, it will be hard to see him in Chelsea blue, but at least it ain't Manchester Red!!

Your point about the owners investing in the club is dead on. I think they finally realize that Torres wasn't that happy this year and decided to make a move and to get 2 YOUNGER players.

I have hope for a top 4 finish. It won't be easy and we'll need a little luck, but I'm much more optimistic now than i was 2 months ago!

Posted by Dre LFC Fan for over 20 years on 02/03/2011

Torres is a Kop hero, and that's how he should be remembered, he single handed burried Man U and his new Club Chelsea on more than one occassions, ( the only two clubs to have won the league since he's been in the EPL). The people who burnt his shirt, have really short memories as they were literally kissing the ground he walked on just days before. LFC fans should be happy that they got to see him wear that number 9 for the last year and a half. He should have left when Alonso was allowed to leave, as that was an indication of where the club was headed. there was minimal investment in the club in the last year and a half, which has been part of the reason for the dip in his form. he was left isolated as the lone striker for the last 18 months, to battle against bruiser such as Terry, Vidic, and the likes. leaving him to play upfront on his own, contributed to his injuries, which accounted for his dissapointing play in the world cup. Why should he sacrifice anymore of his career?

Posted by Okiemute Samuel A on 02/03/2011

I must say that i love every word that kelvin dropped. Its the badge in front we support, not the name at the back. But one thing torres failed to understand, is that at anfield, in liverpool, its not just about winning trophies or making money, its more about the love, the passion, the loyalty and family bond. Once you are a kopite, you are family and so no amount of ups or downs, should shaken or break the bond and love we share at anfield. YNWA.

Posted by Roland on 02/03/2011

Great article. I definitely agree that it's never about the name behind, it's always about the crest infront that matters. As long as the owners continue to show desire and support for King Kenny, I'm confident this trade would serve well.

At the same time, I'm grateful to Torres for everything he did for us in the first 2 years of his arrival. Not so much for the past year, given how we actually spent so much time nursing him back to health. But, LFC will never ever crumble because of one player's departure, we will only get stronger. That I believe.

Posted by Richard Mc on 02/03/2011

Torres exit from liverpool has been met with so much critisism from many fans of English football except for Chelsea fans but i believe these critisisms come as a result of their knowledge of what danger he poses playing in a team like Chelsea where all departments of the pitch is graced with sheer quality.It is obvious the reason fans of other teams are full of spiteful comments about Nando is cos Nando moved to a rival club and they know now how tough Chelsea as a team had been even before now let alone now they have captured Torres.As an Arsenal fan,i am not comfortable with Nandos move to Chelsea but its one situation we will have to cope with now.With also the capture of David Luis,Chelsea will now be playing at top gear but am not taking away the fact that i remain adamant that the league is going to Man United this season.Its clearly a one horse race for me at this point.

Posted by fahad on 02/06/2011

First i used to think what everyone thoght about torres that he was a liar,fraud, a traitor of liverpool. But there were some thhings that clicked in my mind when i read this article.we all know how much glory he has bought for us. he is a legend for us. but what he did it was only at the wrong time and i a agree that it he should have gone in the summer. Look at us?? where do we lie now?? we are no more in the top 4. its gonna take another 1-2 years time for us to re-build to get up a prpoer team. we lost quality players - Xabi alonso,Mashcerano etc..we went down n down and now we are just trying to get up there again. Torres is in his peak and he has the rights to win trophies. he deserves it. He is the most deadliest striker in the world! Hope now that our management and our new owners realise how important it is for us to bring in quality players and hope fully we go up to play champions league football again! What ever so happens there is no one bigger than our club! YNWA!!!

Posted by Philip on 02/06/2011

Agreed totally with yur write-up. All the disbelief from the fans is because FT is a good striker and he is going to Chelsea, one of the main rival for trophies. Am sure it will be less painful if he has gone to another country. This is what I think Liverpool FC failed to do a better job, by selling him to a club in another country. If you look at MU, they hardly sell their top player to their main rivals apart from Tevez but MC is still to prove themselves as a consistent top rival. Anyway, hope Liverpool will have better days to come under Kenny Dalglish together with Suarez and Carrol. LFC need a few more good players and not be predictable with only Gerrard, so, easy to take him out and that usually means LFC losing the game.

Posted by Anti-Gerrard on 02/06/2011

As usual and in strict accordance to LFC's racist policy of worshippping Gerrard and Carragher though Carragher had a good game today against Chelsea while Gerrard fared poorly except for that 1 assist, the older and slower Gerrard is not substituted whilst the younger, fitter, faster goal-scorer Mireles is subbed.
Gerrard and Carragher can never be subbed at LFC no matter what happens.Look at Gerrard's silly mistake and ball control in the 39th minute and countless times in the 2nd hand that prompted at least the commentator to say Gerrard misplaced more passes in this Chelsea match than anyone.Everything must pass thru Gerrard at LFC if Gerrard is on the pitch even if he played like a toddler compared to Meireles!
But as LFC is a club that loves to stand by B-class english players like Gerrard, we wish to comment no further now.
Just watch how many decent tackles, passes that Gerrard can make from now on.
He is getting worse by the day and yet LFC still do not wish to sell him.Wh

Posted by chah_mie on 02/06/2011

"it's not the name on the back of the shirt, it's the badge on the front that Liverpool support"i like that statement..wonderful..

Posted by Whyldcarrd on 02/06/2011

I think u're spot on. I've been a fan of Torres since he was at Atletico Madrid. It was a dream come true when he signed for us. The dream has sadly ended, but I'm still holding so slim hope that he might re-sign for us.

I don't blame him for leaving, i blame us for not being able to keep him. I believe he is a loyal player, otherwise he would have jump ship from Atletico years ago, when the manures and other 'big clubs' came calling. Just that needs must, and he's not getting any younger, he can't play for another Atletico, ie, carrying the entire team himself.

I still sing "his armband proved he was a red..." to myself. It's painful to think the dream is over, but once again LFC moves on.

Posted by Viki on 02/06/2011

Well I totally disagree in saying him as Kop's hero..He was only a hero made by the entire Reds players.. Yet again true he have scored a lot of goal and helped Liverpool. My point is why does he have to leave now instead of summer? So practically what he is trying to say is that he will win all the trophies with Chelsea this season.The new owners worked hard to sign a strike partner for him..All of a sudden Chelsea came knocking with big wage bag, and there he goes to his so called BIG club.. Aren't we the Biggest Club in Premier League? And fine he decided to leave, so just leave..Why does he have to say things that sparks anger among the Kops supporters? BIG club, A team that never plays in champions leagues does not exist,I never loved Liverpool..and etc..Why all this? Well I got to say that all Liverpool fans are true to their feelings and anger that he deserves..He should have just kept his mouth shut and leave the club..Well for me, I still call him a traitor..Sorry guys.. YNWA

Posted by glen on 02/06/2011

think chelsea have drastically overpaid for torres. he is in decline form wise. his work rate is down. he tends to sulk and think playing 3 strikers up front wont work for chelsea. so he might be doing some bench warming which is not his comfort zone. he could become chelseas scehvenko

Posted by Ted on 02/07/2011

You can't be for him, against him, and neutral all at the same time. Make up your mind. I don't wish him ill personally, but I hope he regrets going to Chelsea, like you said at the end. So I hope his whole experience there is miserable for both him and Chelsea.

I would like him a lot better had he never played for Liverpool.

Posted by victor on 02/07/2011

Your words echo what, I believe, a lot of supporters feel. I for one, am a Nando fan. I was absolutely devastated that he decided to leave.

For whatever reasons he may have had, I truly wish him the best. His actions may not be the most elegant, but then again, there is no good way to say goodbye.

I am really looking forward to the new boys, and the renewed sense of belief in LFC. For now, I am happy taking one small step at a time, and enjoying every single minute of it.

In KK we trust!

Posted by Anbu on 02/07/2011

F9T - That's what I called him, saw him score the first of his many goals against Chelsea (Mourinho era) & said to myself "Now thats what a 20 million pound striker looks like" he is now 50 Million pounds. Well, so long friend, it was great having a player like with us, all the best & all Liverpool fans will miss you. Take care

Posted by Georges A. Delpech on 02/07/2011

aha aha aha -here we are on the morning after and for sure,apart from the money,Torres is now in 'self-question' time,wondering if he's done the right thing after he was taken off and we won. As some fans wrote 'he did us proud, especially against Chelsea,to note the 2-0 home win early this season' and I totally agree with the contents of this article but 'with mind over matter'I do seriously question his intergrity, asking for a transfer this way.It looks obvious that Chelsea must have got at him about how much he could be earning and the future success,and there I feel he acted with his head but not his mind.OH his heart?No that was left outside.He was an intergral part of Liverpool and he must have known that new players coming in will heip complement the team.Now having said that,once again I believe it was the money.HE had to say the rubbish things he said about a bigger club. He's talking MONEY WISE!HE was trying,in his own way,to please his new employers.How sad.Goodbye Torres!

Posted by Trev on 02/07/2011

Good article......Thankfully we gave Nando "the Blues" yesterday, but I'm gutted he's gone and can understand the reasons we left and it was not for money.I'm sure if you had to play with mediocre players like Konchesky, Poulsen etc, you would have second thoughts about playing with this team.
Just like any player he wants to win things even though I'm not sure if Chelsea is the team to go to considering how they are doing this season, but saying that I'll reserve judgement as Chelsea still have a chance in a couple of the Cup competitions.
Thanks for the memories and the Goals Nando, especially the amount of times you've scored against your present employers, but I still hope you do well, but just not against us :)))Great sense of optimism for the future for the mighty REDS

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