Liverpool Gamble on Andy Carroll After Chelsea Sign Fernando Torres

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Chelsea sit 10 points away from Manchester United, and Liverpool are 10 away from the Champions League.

But as deadline day comes to its end, it has become clear both would gamble the second half of their seasons with two huge decisions. Both look toward two strikers costing £85 million between them to save their season.

Liverpool’s decision was undoubtedly the toughest. Daglish rolled the dice and gave into the Spaniards' demands, selling Fernando Torres—a man considered among the best in the world and well on his way to becoming a Reds legend—to rivals Chelsea for a huge £50 million.

If the gamble of selling Torres is risky, what about the gamble on who would replace him?

Andy Carroll is the chosen man to reignite the Kop. The former Newcastle man, who is in his first full season in the Premier League, will carry the burden of being the new Liverpool legend. The 22-year-old has 11 goals this term, but at £35 million he has a lot to live up to. However, the Reds will benefit from having Luis Suarez to partner him upfront; they'll be a duo which, in theory, should be lethal.

Chelsea showed major signs of intent with their deadline-day signings. A double swoop for Torres and David Luiz shows that Abrahamovic hasn’t yet given up on the title. Luiz should freshen up the defence whilst they hope Torres will light up the attack.

The risk with Torres, of course, is his form.

Sure, he’s looked back to form in recent games, but for the majority of the season he’s looked a shadow of his former self. Ancelotti is hanging on Torres regaining the passion and fire that make him one of the world's deadliest attackers.

January rarely throws up a special deadline day like we’ve seen this season. And it makes Liverpool’s game with Chelsea this Sunday highly anticipated. Carroll is unlikely to start, so we will have to see if Torres or Suarez make their debuts.

Either way, only time will tell who’s rolled the six on deadline day.

What are your thoughts on the deadline-day transfers? Is Carroll worth £35 million? Are Liverpool better off without Torres? Can Chelsea win the league?