When you hear the extreme roar of "You'll never walk alone," you usually relate it towards the Kop faithful at Anfield, imagining 40,000 die hard Liverpool fans flying their flags and scarves proud.
You wouldn't usually affiliate it within the armband of a Spanish footballer.
However, this was the case for Kop hero Fernando Torres before his summer transfer to Liverpool.
During a game at Real Sociedad, Torres' armband came loose and revealed the print "You'll never walk alone" on the inside.
This sparked controversy and was the starting gun for journalists, as Liverpool instantly became linked with the Athletico star.
Was this a match made in heaven? Did Fernando Torres always dream of playing for Liverpool FC? Was Rafa Benitez's missing link in the Rafa-revolution staring him right in the eyes?
After two months of grueling connections in the press, the deal was finally done and Fernando Torres was unveiled at Melwood.
Nearly a year down the line since the coveted Spanish ace was first referred to as Liverpool's destiny, the Anfield faithful will certainly not complain, nor would the former Athleticos' "El Niño!"
Torres had a tough decision. Would he leave the adoring fans that have been left dribbling by his every move and lose the chance to join one of Europe's elite, or lose the chance altogether?
He certainly chose the Scouse pies of Liverpool over the Spanish paella in Madrid; the cold, wintery winds rather than the hot summery skies; and the hard-to-understand accent over the exotic Spanish tongue.
Still, it wasn't a decision that not only Liverpool FC wouldn't regret, but the whole of the footballing nation.
Amid the speculation of Liverpool's boardroom and their need to challenge for the title this season, a lot of criticism headed Fernando's way on if he would be a success in the English League.
With the English game having higher demands, for strength and mental ability, would Torres become another Morientes, or would he surpass what hardly any foreign player has done previously and have an impressive first season in English football?
Drogba and Ronaldo didn't show their abilities in their first season, so El Niño has a lot to live up to. And live up to it he has.
After scoring in his home league debut against Chelsea, the Spanish ace did not take long to settle in.
After recording three hat tricks already this season, and scoring in seven consecutive home games, Fernando Torres notched up 30 goals in 44 games. He is the first player since Robbie Fowler to do so.
So with his first season in English football proving to be a great success, and already having a song named after him from the adoring Liverpool fans, Fernando Torres has already set his "hero" status foundations into Merseyside.
If only Torres had come the season before, Liverpool fans could have been singing "We won it six times, and will be seven in Moscow!"
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5 months ago
Signing of the season, has to be.
5 months ago
Player of the season, in my opinion.
5 months ago
No doubt, should be awarded with the both Young and Player's Player of the year!
5 months ago
Sorry guys that is Ronaldo....
5 months ago
Torres is good, but Ronaldo is just better
5 months ago
If it wasnt for Ronaldo, he would be player of the season. pity he is rotting at the scousers.(sorry thats the manc comin out in me!!haha)
5 months ago
It's only his first season, Ronaldo has had a lot longer to settle in, and don't forget, he wasn't playing every/full games at the earlier part of the season, so just you watch his achievements next year. Be prepared to be blown away by "el nino"
from 5 months ago
Ronaldo was a kid when he came here. You simply can't use that as an arguement. Torres had been captain of Atletico since he was about 20. He was a world class player in Spain and is so in England.
5 months ago
From what you say Andrew, players shouldn't need any time to settle in at a new club/country, even Henry was an instant success at Arsenal [or was he] and that's why Ronaldo won this award in his first year at united [or was it his second] You seem totally unbiased andrew, I'm sure you'll put me right on this.
5 months ago
I think Torres is a solid number 2, and is worth discussing as number 1 player of the year. But Ronaldo edges him out. It is worth noting that Ronaldo has scored at least 5 times on penalties while Torres has scored none as he is not Liverpool's penalty taker. So the goals are somewhat closer when that is considered
5 months ago
I don't mean they don't need time...everyone is different. Was just reminding you that Liverpool bought a finished article...Man Utd took a gamble on a great talent.
I'm sure Torres is a future winner of the award.
5 months ago
Sorry Andrew but I can't agree that Torres was the 'finished article'. He had barely played in European competition before this season, (5 games in the UEFA Cup in 2004-2005 when just 20) so although he had played for Spain a good number of times, his overall experience was still fairly limited.
Now, I agree that you can't possibly compare Ronaldo's first season with Torres, Ronaldo was only 18 when he joined and had barely played for Sporting, so they are completely different scenarios, but Torres still had plenty to learn himself.
I think you also have to question what his performance says about the English League in comparison to the Spanish (if anything at all). I mean he only scored 21 goals in a season at the most in Spain, yet he has 30 in England in the same number of games, and he only scored 13 and 15 in the last 2 seasons.
Is it just because he is playing with a stronger team with less individual pressure on him? Or are English defences weaker than Spanish ones?
4 months ago
i couldnt say english defences were worse than spanish ones. I could say that torress has possibly had the supply at liverpool than athletico, where at madrid he was making the work himself and at liverpool he has had quality supply in the shape of gerrard, masch and alonso. His testing season will be obviously next season, but im sure torres is about to become a TRUE legend, likes of billy liddel,roger hunt,'kevin keegan and toshack' and of course ian rush
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