Fernando Torres: The Real Deal

Fernando Torres was labelled in Spain during his time with Atletico Madrid as a striker with bags of skill but who's finishing consistantly let him down.

Even though he usually scored around 15 league goals a season, there was a general feeling that he had the potential to achieve a lot more.

Since transferring across to the Premiership in Summer 2007, he seems to be realising that potential with Liverpool FC.

Already with 12 goals to his name in his first 19 appearances in a red shirt, 'El Niño' has earned the respect of his teammates, the love of the fans and the recognition from opposition defenders that he is a force to be reckoned with.

When he signed for Liverpool, the fee quoted was anywhere between 20 and 26 million pounds, depending on which source you chose to believe, and there were mutterings that such a big price tag could weigh on the mind of the 23 year old, as would the expectation placed on his shoulders that he was the 'missing link' for Liverpool, the man to fire the goals to finally end Liverpool's quest for Premiership glory.

Clearly not, as it has so far transpired.

His first goal, at Anfield versus Chelsea, gave an indication of what was to follow.

Sublime control, a rapid change of pace and a silky finish beyond the reach of arguably the finest goalkeeper in world football today, Petr Cech.

Torres has since bagged his first Reds hattrick, his first Champions League goals and a host of other strikes, indicating that perhaps he is finally shedding the tag of "potential" great striker and blossoming into one of the most feared strikers in Europe.

It is not, however, just his strike rate which marks him out as one of the most in-form players in the league. His tireless work rate, his excellent control and ability to drift past defenders with the ball, his willingness to take a challenge and get back up and carry on and his clever vision and touches all help his teammates, be it to find a space of their own or to make it easier for them to give him the ball.

Sure, he is prone to shooting at times when others are perhaps better placed.

But he is a striker, after all. That's what Liverpool bought him for. And, generally, the times when he could pass but instead shoots are when he has created the chance himself out of nothing.

His link play up until now has been exemplary. He has been paired up front with Crouch, Voronin, Kuyt and Babel in his short time at Liverpool, and has shown signs of being able to work with all 4. In particular though, his link up play with Steven Gerrard has been out of this world, demonstrated to devastating effect against Bolton.

Gerrard, another player at the top of his game at the moment, spotted the run of Torres and played an inch perfect ball along the ground, about 50 yards or more. Right into the penalty area for Torres to simply stride onto and lift over the 'keeper into the back of the net.

The transition for players coming to the Premiership from overseas, and perhaps strikers more so than others, usually needs a period of settling in, a chance to get to know the style of play for their new team before they adapt themselves and start showing the kind of form they were bought for, but Fernando Torres seems to be the exception to this rule.

Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Didier Drogba were all examples of players needing a year to settle before showcasing their incredible talents and goalscoring exploits. Andriy Shevchenko, one of the most feared strikers of this decade, is still struggling to settle in at Chelsea.

But Torres has come in and from day one established himself as a natural threat to any opposition, scoring and creating goals and giving defenders nightmares even when he doesnt have the ball.

Though dissimilar in style of play, his mere presence is similar to that of van Nistelrooy; the defenders know he is on the pitch, ergo they are on edge because in a second he could be pouncing. 

Torres isn't infallible; he missed several chances against Newcastle in the league when on another day he might have had three or even more goals.

But the start he has made to his life at Liverpool indicates that they are onto a very good thing with him, and he with them. If his progress continues at this rate, the 23 year old striker could eventually be spoken about in the same breath as other legendary strikers from the club such as Rush, Fowler and of course Dalglish.

Torres signed for Liverpool because he wanted to experience the big European nights, challenge for trophies and play with players at the same level as he himself aspires to reach. His goal last night against Marseille helped ensure he will be doing it this season in Europe for an extended period of time.

Premiership defenders beware, El Niño is only going to get better.