In the January 2015 transfer window, Liverpool was unable to secure the services of a striker that could score goals. The current crop of forwards including Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli has been largely inconsistent. Balotelli of whom expectations were highest has been the most disappointing especially considering he was stepping in for former Reds striker Luis Suarez. Prior to Suarez, one striker had become the ultimate Kop hero. We are talking of none other than Fernando Torres, who since leaving Anfield in January 2011, has struggled with both form and confidence. This January, Liverpool had the opportunity to bring Torres back ‘home’, but he ended up moving back to his boyhood club Atletico Madrid on loan from AC Milan.
It was Torres and Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard who formed a formidable partnership during the Spaniard’s better days. Torres’s return to Anfield may have even convinced the Reds skipper not to leave Liverpool at the end of the season. It could be argued that ‘El Nino’ is no longer a force to reckon with and lost a yard of pace, but his record at Liverpool was nothing short of spectacular.
It appears the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner is now on his way to rediscovering his form having scored a few times since his return to Atletico Madrid. These goals were not just against any team. Two goals were scored in the first minute of each half against Spanish giants Real Madrid, while another was scored against Barcelona. This is the same striker who was unable to score a single goal during his first few months with Chelsea. The same change in confidence and form could have likely been achieved at Liverpool, and no doubt the Reds would have benefited greatly.
Now that Daniel Sturridge is back after injury and in top form, a partnership with ‘El Nino’ would have likely proved as fruitful as the SAS. For a limping team like Liverpool in their current state, the signing of Torres would have aided greatly in providing them with the momentum they need to reach the top-four.