Chelsea vs Liverpool: Fernando Torres' Form Not Only Problem Facing Chelsea

Chelsea welcomes Liverpool to Stamford Bridge in the marquee match of the weekend. The Blues absolutely need Fernando Torres to finally show, but that is just one problem facing the English Premier League giants.

Chelsea finds itself in an unfamiliar place sitting fourth on the table behind Newcastle United. The reason for that is hardly because of one millionaire failing to pull his weight. 

Make no mistake. Torres has been a bust for the majority of his stint at Stamford Bridge. But the real issue that is far more mind-boggling is the porous back line. 

Chelsea has been prone to errors and soft play at the back and has seen them give up far too many shots on goal than is necessary. It simply can't continue to do so if it has aspirations on winning back the Premiership title. 

On Sunday, the Blues take on a spirited and hungry Liverpool side. They have the weapons that will make Chelsea pay on any letdown. 

Andre Villas-Boas continues to tweak the defense to find a suitable number two right by stalwart John Terry. This game will be a hard-hitting and chippy affair that doesn't need an aloof defense to exacerbate issues. 

As for Torres, the Blues can thank other weapons for giving Chelsea the necessary goals to keep it afloat near the top of the table. 

Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge will continue to feature heavily in a prolific attack. At some point, the big man in the front will need to show up. 

Torres can't continue to be an empty jersey, and doubly so against a tough side like Liverpool. This match is primed to be a close one, and I see it coming down to both splitting points. 

If Chelsea is going to pull ahead and show some measure of dominance, Torres will have to make better decisions in the box and be far more precise than he has been. 

He has everything he needs in Mata and Sturridge spreading the pitch. Now he has to do the job he is paid to do, and that's to finish.