Liverpool Goals: Fernando Torres' Top 5 Strikes for the Reds
For three years, more or less, he terrorised Premier League defences wearing the red of Liverpool, forged an exciting and productive partnership with Steven Gerrard, won matches on his own and conquered the hearts of Kopites all over the world.
In the summer of 2007, following Liverpool's defeat in the Champions League final to AC Milan, Torres arrived at Liverpool as the latest part of Rafa Benitez's Spanish revolution from Atletico Madrid and set about breaking records and placing himself as one of the best strikers on the planet.
Twenty-four goals in his first Premier League season established him as the highest-scoring foreign newcomer of the division's history, while he netted 33 times in 46 games in all competitions.
The following season saw Torres plunder 17 in 38 games—but also saw the first of the injuries which would continue to dog him throughout his remaining time at Anfield.
2009-10 saw a good return of 18 league goals in just 22 games, 22 in 32 altogether, but it was clear by the end of this season that all was not well with El Niño. His summer showing in South Africa for Spain more clearly demonstrated that his fitness was a serious issue and when he returned to Liverpool later that summer, with Roy Hodgson now at the helm, the change in style of play along with his own huge dip in form translated to poor performances and a very poor attitude.
Torres briefly sparked into life at times over the first half of the season, but when Chelsea came calling a the end of January 2011, even a return of Kenny Dalglish wasn't enough to convince Torres to stick around.
He left Liverpool with 81 goals in total from 142 games.
Torres angered many Liverpool fans with the way he left the club, and indeed who he went to, but in time people will remember the goals he scored for the spectacular ability and technique involved in many of them.
Here are videos of Fernando Torres' top five goals in a Liverpool shirt—feel free to also check out my slideshow on the Torres' top five strikes in a Chelsea shirt.
5. Liverpool Home Debut vs. Chelsea
1 of 6On his first Anfield league appearance, Torres took 16 minutes to set the Reds on their way against Chelsea.
Tal Ben-Haim was the man left for dead as a burst of pace took the striker toward goal, where he calmly rolled the ball past Petr Cech.
The goal can be viewed at the 2:47 mark on the video.
Don't watch the whole video just yet if you don't want to spoil what may come ahead on this slideshow!
4. Top-Corner Effort vs. Arsenal
2 of 6Into the Champions League now in 2007-08, when Liverpool faced Arsenal in the quarterfinals. The first leg ended 1-1 and the same score applied at Anfield at the time Torres stepped up to score what could have been the goal to send Liverpool through.
Inside the penalty area he showed impeccable control and agility before spinning and smashing a shot across the face of goal and into the far top corner. Liverpool went on to win 4-2 on the night.
The goal is 28 seconds into the video.
3. Dribble and Finish vs. Derby County
3 of 6Torres' first season again and Liverpool were battering Derby County 6-0.
Torres scored twice in the game, this one coming after a cheeky nutmeg and trademark turn of pace, before another twist inside a defender and a left-footed finish.
2. Slalom Run vs. Marseille
4 of 6Another Champions League tie, this time in France against Marseille, and Torres showed some of the best close control and dribbling ability at pace you are likely to see in the competition.
Until a certain Reds No. 7 competes in it again, anyway.
Collecting the ball from Harry Kewell on the edge of the box, Torres finds the net despite the best efforts of four defenders and the goalkeeper in a match Liverpool simply had to win.
Since B/R does not collaborate with the video player used to present this goal, please click here to see the video.
1, Wonder Volley vs. Blackburn Rovers
5 of 6Not really anything to add to this goal; it was a simply sublime piece of control and finishing.
End of the (Anfield) Road
6 of 6There you go, Torres' top five goals in a Liverpool shirt. Think he regrets the move yet?
Feel free to leave your opinions below on which was your top goal or which other ones would have made your list.
Don't forget to check the Chelsea list here.
You can follow me on Twitter @karlmatchett and on EighteenAndFive or become my fan on B/R!
Next live Premier League commentary: Chelsea vs. Norwich City (Saturday 27th August, 3pm UK/10am ET) plus updates of every Saturday match. Also live commentary and analysis of Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City (Sunday 28th August, 1:30pm UK/8:30am ET). Become my fan to easily find the live text blog!
