Chelsea vs. Liverpool: Fernando Torres Will Shred Former Club in Blues Victory

Fernando Torres has been awful at times, with spurts of quality play ever since coming over from Liverpool last season. However, he will get his chance to stick it to his former club, and he’s going to do it in grand fashion.

Liverpool may have spoiled Torres’ debut at Stamford Bridge last season, but the Spaniard will shred the Reds on Sunday, giving the Blues a much-needed three points in the English Premier League table.

Playing against your former club always seems to bring the best out of athletes. I don't care if it's high school, collegiate level or professional, you want to remind your former club what they're missing. Torres is just itching for the opportunity to bury a few on Sunday.

Torres’ play has been spotty but improved in 2011. He has scored two goals in eight EPL outings—a statistic that must be improved upon if he wants to keep his job.

But it’s not like Torres isn’t getting chances to bury the ball into the back of the net. I would be much more concerned if he wasn’t putting himself in great positions to do what he does best—score goals.

There have been countless incidents where Torres volleys one a mile above the crossbar from a few yards away, hits one into the side net and has a shot go awry. Who doesn’t have those things happen?

Torres isn’t finishing his opportunities. When he gets that one glorious scoring chance, he must bury it. Once he buries a goal, his confidence will be sky-high—especially when that one goal comes against his former club.

Sunday’s game is crucial for Chelsea. With the Blues already 12 points behind leaders Manchester City, three points isn’t wanted, it’s needed.

Liverpool will provide a tough test, winners of their past two EPL road games. But this could be the game where Torres snaps out of his consistency funk, scoring a goal or two, lifting his confidence for the rest of the campaign.

It’s time for a true goal-scorer to live up to the bill. He’s not going to garner more opportunities in the relative future if he can’t put the ball in the back of the net. It won’t be acceptable, especially from a top-tier club like Chelsea.

When he plays free, that is when he most successful. Confidence is the ultimate key in sport, and his consistency comes and goes.

When you are backed into a corner, that is when you see the true form of one’s character. It’s time for Torres to show that he is a prideful guy that wants to be a part of one of the best teams on the planet.

It’s now or never. Torres shines in a crucial Blues victory.

Chelsea wins 2-1.