Liverpool: Fernando Torres to the Reds–The Last Piece of the Jigsaw

 

Psychological Factor—Shifting Pressure

Some players in the present Liverpool squad seem to be reeling under undue pressure burdening them because of their price tag. A 20-million-pound signing of Fernando Torres from Chelsea might just neutralize that and enable them to worry about how to do what they do best while they wear the coveted Liverpool shirt.

The transfer will give pundits a new thing to talk about and shift the pressure on Torres’ shoulders, which may not be a bad thing at all. We must remember that Torres was captain of Athletico Madrid while very young and carried Athletico and arguably Liverpool for large parts of his stays at each. He will be able to handle a little pressure and that too better than a 23-year-old without confidence and Uruguayan adapting to a new league—in more ways than one.

Plus, not delivering the goods as a 20-million-pound buy would be less stressful than not delivering as a 50-million-pound purchase. The initial boos from the Kop may be overcome at the pace with which he became a new hero for Liverpudlians during his first tenure when he scored against Chelsea at Anfield. This time though, I think it will be against Manchester United in the first few games of next season that our former hero will reclaim his lost charm.

Pace to Burn–In Behind the Defense

It is the beginning of the second half, Chelsea are down 0-3 at Old Trafford and Anelka threads the ball behind the Manchester United defense for Torres to slot in home coolly to give Chelsea hope.

Liverpool desperately need pace at the moment. Liverpool has hardly scored any goals similar to the one mentioned above this season. The one where Enrique picked out Suarez comes to mind, but even in that instance Suarez had to use his twinkle toes rather than just finishing. Good passers such as Gerrard, Adam, Henderson and Shelvey are present in the squad but their ability to thread a through-ball has been nullified by the non-existence of pace.

Another advantage of having Torres’ blistering speed is that while the opposition defenders will be running faster towards their own goal, Liverpool’s offence will be more advanced. This means more players getting into the box to score. This also means more shots from the edge of the penalty area from Adam and Gerrard. Liverpool has lacked both these things in combination this season.    

The Signing for Liverpool's so Far "Questionable" Signings

Torres can make players playing poorly at the moment come back into life on the football field. Much has been made about the lack of creativity from Liverpool’s midfield for the lack of goals. In my opinion, the strikers providing minimal movement and off-the-ball activity are just as much to be blamed.

Torres is certainly good at this aspect and will provide an option for Adam and Henderson to exploit. For Downing, he will provide a mobile, quicker option to find in the box besides the powerful Andy Carroll. For Carroll, he will be drawing defenders and making space to help reveal the full force of Carroll’s left foot and headers.

While Luis Suarez is not a questionable signing, his finishing has been abject. Torres will absorb this pressure and Suarez’s poor show in front of goal. Besides, Suarez is not a centre forward but should be used as a support striker or a left forward.

With Uruguay Suarez has Edinson Cavani. With Groningen he had Erik Nevland as his partner. At Ajax he linked up with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Marko Pantelic. I would love Liverpool to play a classic 4-4-2 diamond formation. With Torres and Carroll up front and Suarez as the head of the diamond I think Liverpool eventually at some point may have the most feared strike force in the world, let alone in England.