Maddock – ‘Fernando Torres Should Return To Liverpool’

Respected Daily Mirror columnist David Maddock wrote an interesting article about Chelsea’s Fernando Torres during the week.

He explored the depths to which the once all-conquering Spanish and ex- Liverpool forward has sunken and is now warming the bench for his present club when he could be scoring goals for fun at his old club Liverpool. Here is some of what David said:

“The sight of Torres warming up along the touchline on Tuesday evening was one of those laugh or cry moments; his body language so appalling, his humiliation so apparent, you could actually feel some sympathy for a bloke whose annual salary equals the GDP of a small nation.

His move to Chelsea has been a disaster hasn’t it? Unmitigated, debilitating disaster. He left Liverpool in search of honours he said, in search of a more powerful team and the bright lights of big competition. He found the Carling Cup.

So I have a solution. They are a forgiving lot at Anfield, the fans quick to embrace an underdog and show the sort of love and affection that could just revive the career of Fernando Torres.

Sure, there are many who believe him a traitor of the highest order, those who would never forgive him, but there are many who feel it is a shame he never quite cemented the place in Liverpool legend he was on his way to achieving.

And Kenny Dalglish has a problem with strikers. Luis Suarez could find himself banned for a fair chunk of the holiday period, given his indiscretions of late, and in his absence, the Reds boss can’t fancy his alternatives too much.

Even if Suarez miraculously escapes a ban, Liverpool still have a problem up front. Suarez is a top class player, a true talent and a joy at times to watch, but he is not an out and out goalscorer. His conversion rate in front of goal is actually rather worrying, as his stats show the most shots in the Premier League, but only four goals.

What he needs is a goalscorer beside him. But so far, Andy Carroll hasn’t looked like a goalscorer either. He’s got plenty of talent, he’s contributed in terms of the team, but hasn’t looked much like finding the net on a regular basis.

When he was at Liverpool Torres was a goalscorer. And he’s clearly not wanted at Chelsea. So why not let him go back to Anfield for a bit, to see if he can rediscover his old muse? If there is one set of fans who will help him find it, then it is the Anfield support.

There is the small matter of course, that a rejuvenated Torres could score the goals Liverpool have been missing, and inspire them to a top four finish that may oust Chelsea from the Champions’ League party.

But what the hell, it’s nearly Christmas, it’s time for giving. And clearly, there are plenty of people at Stamford Bridge who’d like to give Fernando Torres something right now.”

(c) Daily Mirror

When Torres left Liverpool for rivals Chelsea a year ago I was one of many fans to brand him a traitor for leaving this club that had helped ignite his career under Rafa Benitez, where he broke many Liverpool goalscoring records including the fastest player to get to 50 goals at Anfield.

It is pitiful to see him flounder at Chelsea, he did say recently that he missed the intimacy of the City of Liverpool compared to the unforgiving metropolis of London. Big question of the week, would Liverpool fans have him back at Anfield or would you leave him to rot at Chelsea?

Thanks to Friends of Liverpool for submitting this post