Has any footballer ever had a better first season than Fernando Torres' start at Liverpool? Speculation can be made, but I suggest that Torres has had such an incredible first season that he is in contention for that place in football history.
33 goals in 46 matches would be an incredible feat for anyone, however to be achieved by a player who is in his first season is almost unbelievable. Despite the reports to the contrary, I believe Torres came to Liverpool with a very respectable goal tally, especially in the league.
During his Atletico career, he scored 91 goals in 243 games, but his contribution in the league was much more impressive with 82 in 214.
This enhances his reputation further, as Atletico have been a club who, up until this season, struggled. This ratio of goals to games goes against the thought that Torres may not be a "20 goal-a-season" striker, never mind achieving 30!
The pressure he must have felt at Atletico has been taken from his shoulders, and Atletico themselves have benefited, qualifying for the Champions League in a similar situation to that which Everton found themselves in after Wayne Rooney left them.
While Torres would have undoubtedly felt the weight of a hefty transfer fee, he knows that Steven Gerrard and even Jamie Carragher are sharing the expectations of the fans and management.
And he truly has been set free, breaking many records.
Personally, he scored more goals in a season than he had ever scored before. On a club level, he know holds the record for the most goals scored consecutively at Anfield, which is an achievement which has endeared him to the Kop. Domestically, he has had, statistically at least, the best debut season ever based on goals scored.
His introduction to top-level European football through the Champions League has been seamless, and he still has the chance to make a huge impact internationally this season with Spain in Euro 2008.
However, if we can move away from mere statistics for a moment, I think Torres has given Liverpool Football Club and their fans certain qualities this season which cannot be quantified. They go beyond the realms of measurement.
The aestheticism of some of his goals have been sublime. It is hard to imagine the feeling of a side when they know that their star can score great goals. Marseille have felt the devastating effect of one, as have Reading on more than one occasion. Torres has scored many goals which have contained such skill that they are worth more than the scoreboard shows.
Torres has also impacted by scoring a hat-trick of hat-trick's which again strikes fear into the opposition. Once he scores, they know he will go for goal again.
Above and beyond all else, I believe the biggest, and best, individual 'thing' Fernando Torres has given Liverpool this season is a song.
Although it's a new song, it was inspired by an old song.
"Bounce"? Torres has done far more than that, he has rocked the Kop.
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4 months ago
Danny,
Torres gave us something great this year. I am interested and excited to see how he does for Spain this summer. I think bringing in another solid midfielder would help open his game up even more. I don't think he'll do well if he feels the pressure to score is always on him, so I think adding to our Arsenal during the off season would really help him.
from 4 months ago
Definetely John. In fact adding to oue arsenal like Arsenal do would be great! I think you make a great point that he needs help scoring the goals or else the pressure levels will rise for him. I think the most urgent need is a winger though. Someone like Bentley or Ribery who's name has been thrown around for the last few days! Heres hoping!
Thanks for the comments mate,
YNWA
Danny
from 4 months ago
He'll probably get injured playing for Spain. That's what always ends up happening.
4 months ago
nah. He'll be fine
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