Torres Mania

Liverpool FC doctors confirm a strain in Torres’ right hamstring

2008-11-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

The injury picked-up by Fernando Torres in Reds’ 1-0 win over Marseille in the Champions Laeague clash has been confirmed as “strain in his right hamstring”. Liverpool spokesman stated that, “Fernando has a strain in his right hamstring and will be out of action for between two and three weeks.”

Stalemate at Anfield as Liverpool let slip two points at home to Fulham

2008-11-23T22:25:00.000-08:00

Fernando Torres started for Liverpool playing the full 90 minutes as the Reds only managed a 0-0 draw versus Fulham. Liverpool applied pressure from the kick-off as Mark Schwarzer had to be alert to block an early effort from Dirk Kuyt. Leiva then tried his luck from range, but Fulham withheld the early Red onslaught.

At the other end, Reina was tested by Johnson before Keane had a great chance to give his side the lead. A ball from Kuyt found the Irishman in the box, but the forward’s close-range effort struck Schwarzer before going behind for a corner.

Jimmy Bullard almost gave the Londoners a shock lead with a right-footed shot from outside the box, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Pepe Reina.

Torres let fly from 25 yards but his drive bounced favourably for the Fulham keeper who made a comfortable save to keep the scores level as both teams went in at the break 0-0.

It was all Liverpool in the second-half as Reina had very little to do in the Red goal. Torres cutting in from the left was first to try his luck with a right-footed effort that curled just wide of the far post.

The home team continued to dominate against a team looking for their first away league win of the year. A series of corners failed to find Liverpool the breakthrough as Roy Hodgson’s side held firm.

Alonso blasted high and wide from the edge of the box, as Leiva had a goal-bound shot strike a Fulham defender before going behind.

The final seconds were eaten away as the Cottagers made a final substitution. All in all, a frustrating afternoon for the Reds who dominated through the match from start to finish but failed to find a way through Schwarzer in the Fulham goal.

- Match Stats: Liverpool 0-0 Fulham

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Kuyt (El Zhar, 81), Lucas, Mascherano (Alonso, 64), Riera (Babel, 78), Keane, Torres

Fulham: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Dempsey (Gera, 84), Bullard (Baird, 90), Murphy, Davies, Johnson, Zamora

Torres sets up Liverpool’s second of the afternoon as the Reds’ grab a 2-0 victory

2008-11-17T03:03:00.000-08:00

Rafael Benitez kept Fernando Torres on the bench until the 59th minute as Liverpool defeated Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Goals from Dirk Kuyt and Steve Gerrard, following a great assist from Torres, gave the Reds all three points. Following a lively start from Bolton, Liverpool enjoyed a period of possession with Dirk Kuyt testing the home goalkeeper from range, before later striking the crossbar from inside the box with a right-footed effort.

The Reds finally broke the deadlock just before the half hour mark as Kuyt crashed a header past Jaaskelainen. The Dutch striker met a Fabio Aurelio cross to leave the Trotters’ keeper little chance.

Liverpool should have made it 2-0 minutes later, but Robbie Keane failed to get a touch on a cross a yard out from goal. The chance was the last opportunity of a comfortable first-half for Rafa Benitez’ men.

The home side had a Cahill goal ruled-out on the stroke of half-time following a foul by Nolan on Reina.

Bolton Wanderers started the second-half on top, laying siege to Pepe Reina’s goal. Kevin Davies played Ricardo Gardner through for the Trotters’ best chance of the game, but the striker slipped just as he tried to place the ball past the Liverpool keeper.

Fifteen minutes into the second-half, Fernando Torres was brought on for Robbie Keane; and the Spaniard was soon in on the action. The forward hastled the Bolton defenders, before creating Liverpool’s second of the afternoon with a great piece of skill

A brilliant cross from Fernando Torres, using the outside of his right foot, was headed into the Bolton goal by Steven Gerrard. The home team could feel slightly unfortunate to have conceded a second goal following some good pressure.

Torres himself was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as the forward struck the outside of the post with a snap-shot. The final action of the game was a close-range header form Lucas Leiva which whistled past the post.

- Match data:

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Taylor (Smolarek, 84) Nolan, Muamba (Gardner, 46), McCann, Elmander, Davies

Booked: Nolan

Liverpool: Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Agger, Aurelio, Alonso, Mascherano, Kuyt (Lucas Leiva, 84), Gerrard, Riera (Beanyoun, 88), Keane (Torres, 59)

Booked: Carragher

Goals: Kuyt 27, Gerrard 72

Torres: “As a striker, it is great to have someone who can cross the ball so well”

2008-11-13T22:00:00.000-08:00

The Liverpool forward confirmed to the official LFC Magazine that he believes that recent signing Albert Riera will offer the Reds more attacking options. “He’s a different player to what we've had because he is a real winger. On the right we have Jermaine Pennant and now on the left we have Albert. He is capable of going on the outside or coming inside. He can dribble and cross - he is a complete player. He is really important to the team already.”

“Having him in the team should create more space for the other forwards because defenders need to watch Albert. That should help the rest of us get more opportunities. As a striker, it’s great to have someone who can cross the ball so well."

The forward, who has played a part in the Anfield club’s last two matches, is back in contention for Saturday’s clash versus Bolton, and no doubt the ‘Spanish’ Liverpool will be looking to collect all three points from their visit to the Reebok Stadium.

Fernando Torres: “I could never abandon Liverpool”

2008-11-11T03:25:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the second part of the striker’s interview with the Spanish newspaper ‘Marca’. Fernando Torres talks about the Golden Ball award, Euro 2008, life with Rafa Benitez, Liverpool’s rivalry with Manchester United and the rumours surrounding a possible move away from Anfield in the last summer.

- Do you think that you are in with a chance of winning the Golden Ball award?

No. There is a clear favourite. There have been very few seasons during which a player has done so much to deserve the award like Cristiano Ronaldo did last year.

- …and what about Iker Casillas' chances?

I think that this year there is an obvious choice. Ronaldo has won the toughest domestic league title in football, the Champions League, scored one of the goals in the final, and was the top goalscorer, both in the Premier league and in Europe. He’s the player who most deserves the title

- Do you think that you will one day win the Golden Ball?

A lot of things have to converge. Sometimes a player can have a great season, but they end the year without winning any silverware, and here the titles count for a lot in the final vote. The most important thing is to be among the candidates year in year out. For example, Steve Gerrrad has spent the last eight years in the top six… and that says a lot about the player.

- How about winning the World Cup?

I can’t see myself winning it yet. But I would like to achieve it one day, and dreaming that it could happen, doesn’t hurt anybody. We are all looking forward to the World Cup in South Africa. I have some great memories from the European Championships and I would love to get the opportunity to experience them all over again. We have to enjoy the football offered by the current generation of players, and as long as we continue playing together, anything is possible. We will just have to wait and see.

- Along with Cristiano Ronaldo, you are one of the players that the President of Real Madrid would love to sign. Do you think that you could ever wear the Real Madrid shirt?

I have talked about this many times before. I grew up at a club where I had always dreamed of playing; a club whose colours I wore with pride. Now if a club like Real Madrid are after you, then there must be several others who are also probably in the hunt, and if I had a choice, I would probably choose to play my football elsewhere. The thought of leaving England, going back to Spain, playing in Italy, or for playing for another club in England, have not crossed my mind.

- Did you ever receive an offer from the new owner of Manchester City?

The football in England maintains many traditional values and the supporters in general are not big fans of doing things that way. The owner of Manchester City has received plenty of criticism from the press for the way he wants to build his team, but Abramovich worked in a similar way, and things have turned out well for Chelsea. If Man City manage to bring together a good group of players, they will no doubt be up there challenging at the top.

- Did you have the chance to sign for Chelsea in the summer?

I read a lot of stories in the papers, but I was on international duty at Euro 2008 and I was concentrating on the job at hand. I don’t know if they spoke to my club or even with my agent for that matter. And even if the opportunity came about, I could never abandon Liverpool.

- Is the Premier League Liverpool’s main objective?

Yes. When I joined the club everyone was talking about winning the Premier League, even more than lifting the Champions League. Liverpool have won the league 19 times, and Manchester United 18, so if Man U win the title this year, they will equal our record… and that is something that the fans want to avoid. About 90% of our supporters prefer to win the Premier League.

- Which team would you most like to beat in the final of the Champions League?

Our fans would prefer to beat Manchester United. The rivalry between the two teams is as intense as Real Madrid versus Barcelona, actually… probably even more so. You can really feel the rivalry, especially as both teams have experienced similar successes domestically. For a Red, the most amazing experience would be to defeat Man U in the final.

- What are the reasons behind your amazing development: Rafa Benitez? Your team-mates? Or how the game is played in England?

A bit of everything really. The boss wants for all of us to never stop learning. He is not content with the players just offering what they can do best, he expects a lot more, he wants us to improve, you adapt your style to the way the team plays. Rafa Benitez is on top of even the smallest of details, things that you might never have even considered doing out on a pitch. Like for example a specific movement off the ball which might gain you that extra yard, and help you score a goal. This is an element of the game that no coach has ever tried to teach me before.

- Would you say that he is the best coach you have ever trained with?

Definitely. He thinks about football day and night. You can talk to him about anything, but the conversation normally ends up on football! He’s young, wants to learn, and has the experience which earned him respect both at Valencia and at Liverpool. He’s a coach you can learn from, and a person that every footballer would like to work alongside, because Rafa gets the best out of you.

- What are the main differences between the football in the Premier League and in the Liga?

The two games are played in a totally different way. The Premier League is much quicker, with less stop-and-start, its end-to-end stuff, and the ball can reach the opponents box a lot faster and with players having to come into contact with it far less. When you play away from home in Spain, the teams in the bottom half of the table normally leave the grass long, and use every trick in the book to give them an advantage. You never see that here. There are no tricks and no time-wasting. It’s all very honest, which makes the referees life a lot easier. The football played here might come across hard and aggressive, but the reality is very different.

- What was the secret behind Spain’s Euro 2008 success?

The truth is that I don’t know. Luis did a great job of reminding us how hard it the qualifying stages were for us. We knew that we would win it when Fabregas scored from the spot against Italy to put us through. I think that people celebrated that day even more than the victory in the final..

- What did it mean to you scoring the only goal in the final?

It’s the best thing to have ever happened to me. The goal will stay with me for ever.

Torres returns as Liverpool ease past WBA to move top

2008-11-09T06:47:00.000-08:00

Fernando Torres returned to action for Liverpool replacing goalscorer Robbie Keane in the 72nd minute of the Reds’ 3-0 home win over West Brom. The Spaniard received a rapturous applause from the home fans as he stepped out onto the Anfield pitch after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Robbie Keane got two goals before the break as the Reds made light work of the visitors with a solid performance at Anfield versus WBA. Torres’ strike-partner opened the scoring after a long period of Liverpool pressure when he latched on to a Steven Gerrard pass before knocking the ball over Scott Carson.

Once Liverpool went ahead, it never looked as though WBA could get themselves back into the game, or that they would put an end to a 41-year wait for a victory at Anfield. The Baggies did though continue to try and play their passing game, but Reina was a mere spectator in the home goal.

Following Keane’s first of the afternoon, Benayoun and Gerrard came close for the Merseysiders, before the Irishman doubled the Reds lead just before the interval after rounding the WBA keeper and passing the ball into the unguarded net.

Liverpool took their foot off the gas following the break, as WBA tried to find a way past a solid Red back four. Ishmael Millar had the Baggies best chance mid-way through the second-half, but the forward’s control let him down when clean through on goal.

With just over 15 minutes remaining Robbie Keane made way for Fernando Torres. The Spaniard enjoyed the run-out following a six game absence and quickly tested Carson with a shot from outside the box.

Arbeloa rounded-off a fine day for Liverpool with a goal with almost the last kick of the game. The defender curled a left-foot shot past Carson in the WBA goal to seal Liverpool’s win.

The victory moves them three points clear of Chelsea at the top of the table, with the Blues playing Blackburn on Sunday.

Match Stats: Liverpool 3-0 West Bromwich Albion

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Agger, Carragher, Aurelio, Benayoun, Mascherano, Gerrard (Alonso, 80), Riera (Babel, 65), Keane (Torres, 72), Kuyt

Booked: Arbeloa, Mascherano

Goals: Keane 34, 43, Arbeloa 90

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Olsson, Donk, Robinson, Koren, Borja Valero, Greening, Kim (Filipe Teixeira, 56), Bednar (Moore, 56), Miller (Brunt, 71)

Booked: Olsson

www.fernando9torres.com

Torres looks on as Liverpool snatch a late draw at home to Atletico

2008-11-04T16:32:00.000-08:00

Fernando Torres was forced to watch the Champions League draw between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid from the stands. The striker fell out of the squad following the team’s final training session on the morning of the match.

The game was played entirely in the Atletico half as Liverpool dominated possession from start to finish. Keane had a chance as early as the second minute, but the forward could not get a clean strike on a loose ball in the box following a Red corner.

Atletico seemed content to pump the ball as far as possible from their area, and one of these long clearances fell kindly to Antonio Lopez who set-up Maxi to score from close range. The goal came completely out of the blue in what proved to be Atletico’s only shot on target during the whole match.

The second-half was a carbon copy of the first-half, as Liverpool laid siege to Atletico’s goal. Leo Franco had to be alert to save from Agger and Kuyt, as Gerrard came close with two long-range efforts.

Leo Franco was Atletico’s saviour again as the keeper kept out Ngog’s snap-shot. The Madrid based club continued to ride their luck as an un-marked Agger headed agonisingly wide from a Gerrard corner.

Deep into stoppage time the referee pointed to the spot following a challenge on Gerrard by Pernia in the Atletico box. The Anfield club captain made no mistake, sending Leo Franco the wrong way to equalise with virtually the last kick of the game.

The result leaves the two teams level on points at the top of Group D. The other group clash ended 3-0 Olympique Marseille, who move up to third with three points, tied with PSV Eindhoven.

As in the game a fortnight ago in Madrid, both sets of supporters dedicated chants to Fernando Torres who was sat in the stands. The striker should be back in contention for the Reds’ next Premier League clash at home to West Brom.

- Match Stats: Liverpool 1–1 Atletico Madrid

Liverpool: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Fabio Aurelio, Xabi Alonso, Mascherano (Leiva, 36), Gerrard, Riera (Babel, 61), Kuyt, Keane (Ngog, 70).

Goals: Gerrard, 94 (pen)

Atletico Madrid: Leo Franco, Antonio Lopez, Heitinga, Perea, Pernia, Assunçao, Maniche, Raul Garcia, Simao, Maxi Rodriguez, Forlan (Agüero, 70).

Booked: Maniche, Pernia, Perea, Heitinga, Agüero

Fernando Torres looks back over Spain’s Euro triumph in the ‘Robinson Report’

2008-11-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Spain number ‘9’ joined team-mates, ex-national team manager Luis Aragones, doctors and physios, in a programme presented by ex-Liverpool player Michael Robinson (Spanish languaje). The half an hour long ‘Robinson Report’ looked at Spain’s Euro triumph from the day the squad arrived in Austria (with the warm reception they received from everybody at their headquarters), to the final versus Germany in Vienna. The programme mixed interviews with Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina, Iker Casillas, Inesta, Xavi, Marchena, Cesc, Luís Aragones, Villa, Sergio Ramos, Puyol, Xabi Alonso, Senna, Capdevila, Cazorla… with footage from the Championships.

Torres reflected on Spain’s Euro victory saying that the triumph was just what the country needed (the Spanish national team had gone 44 years since they last lifted silverware in a major international tournament).

The opening goal against Russia in Spain’s debut is given special importance. David Villa knocked the ball into an empty net after receiving a pass from Torres. The Liverpool forward talks about his country’s first goal at Euro 2008: “Strikers are normally selfish but the important thing was for the team to win.”

The programme continues to follow Spain’s progress through the group stages, quarter-finals and the semis. In the final against Germany, Luis told Fernando that he would score two goals. Fernando had a headed effort come back off the post but made no mistake with his second effort on goal.

Torres describes how it felt like dream to be a part of Spain’s success story, instead of having to watch the game sat on the sofa at home. Fernando also analyses the game’s only goal and how his strike in the 2008 European Championship Final earned him, “a place in the Spanish football’s history books.”

Photo: J.A. Sirvent
www.fernando9torres.com

Striker up for 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year award

2008-10-29T21:02:00.000-07:00

Fernando Torres was named in a 23-strong list for the 2008 FIFA World Player of the Year title. A shortlist containing the name of three players will be revealed in December, with the eventual winner announced at a ceremony in Zurich on January 12.

The first winner of the award was German captain Lothar Matthaeus. Other players who have collected the award are Marco Van Basten, Roberto Baggio and Zinedine Zidane. Last year, AC Milan’s Kaka received the most number of votes from national captains and coaches to lift the 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year title.

The full list of the Men's FIFA World Player of the Year nominees is as follows:

Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Sergio Aguero (Argentina), Andrei Arshavin (Russia), Michael Ballack (Germany), Gianluigi Buffon (Italy), Iker Casillas (Spain), Deco (Portugal), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon), Cesc Fabregas (Spain), Steven Gerrard (England), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Spain), Kaka (Brazil), Frank Lampard (England), Lionel Messi (Argentina), Franck Ribery (France), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), John Terry (England), Ruud van Nistelrooy (The Netherlands), David Villa (Spain), Xavi (Spain) and Fernando Torres (Spain).

http://www.fernando9torres.com

“I am sure that there will be another opportunity”

2008-10-23T01:15:00.000-07:00

Fernando Torres will be the main absentee in the Champions League clash between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool on Wednesday night. The Madrid-born striker, who spoke exclusively to his website, analysed the upcoming match at the Vicente Calderon stadium, talked openly about how an unfortunate muscle injury has ruled him out of the game, and described his thoughts on the new design for fernando9torres.com.

- How do you like the new design for your official site?

It’s great. I think that the site is both modern, and attractive. Now I hope that all the visitors to fernando9torres.com also feel the same. We are open to any suggestions, or thoughts, about what we could add or maybe change. I promise that we will take every opinion into account.

- How’s the injury?

I'm recovering well. With this type of injury you have to be very patient. It’s a pity that the injury is in the same place as the one I suffered last August. I have no other alternative but to work hard in the daily training sessions that the Liverpool medical services have prepared for me.

- Is this the only reason for you not travelling to Madrid?

Exactly. I want to thank Atletico Madrid for the invitation to watch the game and their offer to bestow on me the gold and diamond club insignia. This is a postponement, not a refusal. I am sorry for the fans, but after talking with my manager, club doctor and the physiotherapists, we decided that the best thing is that I stay at Liverpool; because I would have missed-out on nearly two full days of recovery. At this point, we cannot afford that luxury. As the Atleti fans are already well aware of, I want to play again as soon as possible and I am working to be back playing again shortly.

- It has been rumoured that there were other reasons behind you not going to Madrid...

Far from it. Not being able to be at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday is a big blow. I must insist that I really appreciate the club’s offer, I was really looking forward to taking part in what would have been a very special match for me, but unfortunately it was not to be. I am sure though that there will be another opportunity. However, as soon as my commitments with Liverpool allow me, I will return to the Vicente Calderon to collect the insignia, and to share the experience with the Atletico Madrid supporters.

- What do you expect will happen in Wednesday’s match?

It will be a tough encounter. Atletico have got off to a brilliant start in the Champions League and they will be trying to move a step closer to qualifying when they face Liverpool in front of their own fans. We are looking for exactly the same thing. If we win all three points, we will take a very important step to sealing a place in the quarter finals.

- Who do you want to win?

Well, I want Liverpool to win and then for Atletico to make me happy by doing what they have to do. As I said before, my wish is that we both qualify. After two rounds of matches, both teams are on the right road. Now we have to go on a seal qualification from our group.

Photo: J.A. Sirvent

Manchester City test for Fernando Torres in Sunday showdown

2008-10-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

Following their Merseyside derby success over Everton, the joint league leaders take on the Blues in the North-West derby

Liverpool travel to Manchester on Sunday to take on the blue half of the city as the Merseysiders return to Premier League action. The Reds’ clash against Manchester City kicks-off at 15:00 hours (BST).

Rafa Benitez’ men go into this weekend’s Premier League fixture unbeaten so far this season. The Reds, who are joint top of the table with 14 points, travel to the City of Manchester Stadium following an impressive 3-1 home win over PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

The Liverpool number ‘9’ was the game’s only scorer when Man City and the Reds last clashed at Anfield. The Merseysiders clinched a 1-0 victory in their penultimate match of last season, with Fernando Torres scoring in his eighth consecutive home league game to equal the club record.

The teams last met in Manchester in the final game of 2007. Liverpool took on City on December 30 with the Premier League fixture ending all-square. Neither side could find a breakthrough as the defences got the better of the attacks; in a game which finished goalless.

The Reds win over Manchester City at their home ground came back in November 2005 when a John Arne Riise goal secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

The teams have met a total of 144 times, with Man City gaining 37 wins to Liverpool’s 73; with the sides drawing on 34 occasions. Away from home, Liverpool have collected 28 wins, to Man City’s 24; with 20 games ending in a draw.

Manchester City Football Club was originally formed in 1880 as St. Marks, they changed their name to Ardwick A.F.C. in 1887, before finally changing their name to Manchester City F.C. in 1894.

The Sky Blues have won the League Championship on two occasions, the FA Cup four times, the League Cup twice and the European Cup Winners Cup once. Man City’s most successful spell came under the management of Joe Mercer during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

This summer has seen plenty of change at the club with Mark Hughes taking over as City manager following the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson. But the biggest change occurred on 1 September 2008. On that day Abu Dhabi United Group Investment and Development Limited completed a takeover of Manchester City. The deal was announced on the “transfer deadline-day” with Real Madrid’s Robinho joining the club just before the transfer window closed.

Liverpool’s top goalscorer from last season is only two strikes away from becoming the club’s most prolific overseas player in the Premier League. The Spaniard has 27 goals since joining in the summer of 2007, and is just one goal behind Patrik Berger’s 28 goal haul for the Reds.

Come Sunday, Fernando Torres will be hoping to add to his strikes against Everton at Goodison Park last weekend. The Spaniard scored both of his side’s goals as Liverpool inflicted a third home defeat upon their Merseyside neighbours.

Following the Premier League clash versus Man City, Torres will join-up with the Spanish national team squad ahead of the World Cup qualifiers versus Estonia and Belgium.

Torres at the double for Reds

2008-09-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

Cahill off as Toffees come unstuck

Fernando Torres scored both goals as Liverpool secured a 2-0 win over Everton in a typically fierce Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

The Spanish international struck twice in three second-half minutes to give Liverpool the local bragging rights and get them back to winning ways after last weekend's goalless draw with Stoke.

After a goalless first half Torres ended his goal drought by scoring his first goal since the opening day of the season by volleying home Robbie Keane's cross on 59 minutes.

Torres doubled the lead three minutes later when he clinically scored from close-range to put the game beyond Everton.

To compound Everton's misery Tim Cahill was sent off ten minutes from time by referee Mike Riley for a late tackle on Xabi Alonso.

The defeat was Everton's third straight Premier League defeat at home, while Liverpool have got their title challenge back on track and Torres back to form.

Everton should have been ahead after 14 minutes when Cahill failed to make decent contact with an Arteta corner from just six yards.

Joseph Yobo blocked a shot on the turn by Torres and Cahill saw a glancing header go wide at the other end.

Everton were content to commit just Ayegbeni Yakubu up front, with Arteta and Cahill attacking from deep. It meant that Liverpool had the majority of possession as Everton sat back and tried to hit them on the break.

After 26 minutes Joleon Lescott's cross was dropped by Jose Reina under minimal pressure from Fellaini, who spun to strike a fierce shot that Jamie Carragher somehow blocked on the line.

But referee Riley had spotted some sort of infringement, unseen by Everton eyes, and awarded a free-kick. The tempo had now risen a few notches, with Everton at last fired up.

Alonso fired high over before Yakubu turned Martin Skrtel before dragging his shot wide.

Dive
Yakubu was booked three minutes into the second half for diving in the box, having pushed the ball past Skrtel before plunging to the floor.

Two minutes later Riley's book was out again, this time for a foul by Torres on Lescott, the Spaniard having spent much of the first period questioning Riley's decisions.

Torres finally channelled his annoyance into the game and saw a 20-yard strike go just wide before Gerrard was much closer from even further out.

Albert Riera should have done better when presented with a shooting chance by Keane but when Torres was denied a clear opportunity, having shrugged off Phil Jagielka, Riley was again on his case, awarding a fortunate free-kick to the hosts.

But after 59 minutes Torres got his own back. Arbeloa robbed Arteta far too easily on the touchline and quick passing involving Riera and Alonso released Keane on the left.

The Irishman's cross to the far post was met beautifully on the volley by the Spaniard to beat Tim Howard.

Celebrating
Three minutes later Torres was celebrating again as Liverpool surged forward again and when Jagielka's tackle 10 yards out stopped Keane in his tracks Torres smashed the ball into the top corner.

Torres scored again seconds later but the effort was ruled out by referee Riley.

Arbeloa was booked after 85 minutes for a retaliatory kick at Cahill after a tussle between the pair, with Everton desperately trying to get back into the game.

Then Yakubu missed an open goal as Leon Osman's cross flashed in front of him.

Five minutes later Cahill was off, with referee Riley showing him a red card for a late challenge on Alonso, after the ball had long gone.

It was the eighth red card in the last eight Merseyside derbies, and the 17th in 33 Premier League clashes between the clubs.

Lucas and Jermaine Pennant replaced Alonso and Keane after 86 minutes. Saha saw a 25-yard shot flash wide in the dying minutes as Everton failed to get back in the game.

skysports.com

Atletico Madrid 640 x 480

2008-09-27T00:30:00.000-07:00

copy this code for friendster / blog / web

copy this code for friendster / blog / web

The voting for the Northwest Football Awards is now open

2008-09-26T01:12:00.000-07:00

Fans can now vote for Torres for best player in the Premier League category ahead of November 17 announcement

Supporters can now vote for the Spanish forward as the Northwest Football Awards look to find the 2008 winners. This year’s trophy will go to the player who receives the most votes in an internet based poll.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the Northwest Football Awards sees the striker up against Kevin Davies, Richard Dunne, Joleon Lescott, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roque Santa Cruz and Paul Scharner in the Premier League category. These seven will also compete with players from up and down the Football League for the overall prize.

The winners will be announced at the Northwest Football Awards ceremony which will take place on November 17 in Manchester.

You can vote for Fernando Torres here

(http://northwestfootballawards.co.uk/index.php/your-vote).

Spain 640 x 480

2008-09-26T00:41:00.000-07:00

copy this code for friendster / blog / web

copy this code for friendster / blog / web

Nike Cup European Junior Club Championship

2008-09-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

After winning Nike Cup Spain we qualified for the European tournament. As son as we arrived we were take to a hall with all the players. The top European teams were all there, AC Milan, Juventus, Man. Utd....... One of the things that most caught my eye was the Nike video, we were amazed when Juninho appeared and wished us luck.

As far as the tournament itself, it was hard-fought.. We were winning games and getting through rounds, we knocked out Real Madrid 2-0 in the semis and got to the final against Reginna, which we won with a goal from Molinero. That was the first big medal I won. After the tournament my name started to come out in the press, I’ve still got some copies at home, and offers started to come in, for example one from Arsenal. So I started to get to know top-level football, and even though the moment passed quickly it was good, something to enjoy.

1. First game in an ATM (Atletico de Madrid) shirt, Brunete, Madrid

2008-09-25T06:00:00.001-07:00

It was really exciting. The pitch was astroturf, and we’d only ever played on dirt before. I got my first ever team shirt and everything was really impressive, but what I’ll never forget about that tournament is my granddad. He was really into it because he was an Atleti fan, I remember he said to me: “as soon as the game finishes call me”. I scored a few goals that day and as soon as I got home the first thing I did was call my granddad.

Liverpool edge past Crewe Alexandra in Carling Cup tie

2008-09-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

Fernando Torres enjoys second-half run-out as the Reds seal League Cup win with goals from Daniel Agger and Lucas Leiva

Fernando Torres came on as a second-half substitute in the Reds 2-1 win over Crewe Alexandra. The Spanish striker came close to stretching his team’s lead in the final minutes, but a combination of bad luck and good goalkeeping kept the Liverpool number ‘9’ at bay.

The Anfield manager made several changes from the side that drew at home to Stoke City in the Premier League by bringing in keeper Diego Cavalieri, Daniel Agger, Phillip Degen and French striker David Ngog. The Liverpool number ‘9’ was on the bench alongside fellow striker Robbie Keane.

After some early pressure from the home side, Liverpool took the lead at Anfield just before the quarter hour mark. The Merseysiders gained a free-kick in a dangerous position as Ngog was brought down on the edge of the Crewe penalty area. Daniel Agger showed his dead-ball skils by leaving Collis in the Crewe goal no chance by placing a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.

The Merseysiders’ lead though did not last long, as Crewe Alexandra drew level within ten minutes. Diego Cavalieri did well to keep out Bailey’s first effort following a corner, but the rebound fell to O'Connor who had the simple task of stroking the ball into the unguarded net.

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva regained the lead for the home side with a well-placed header in the 58th minute.

Fernando Torres was brought on in the 66th minute as Liverpool looked to make the game safe. The Spaniard almost grabbed his side’s third of the night with his first attack. Torres sped past three Crewe players, but his low shot was brilliantly blocked by Collins.

Crewe almost equalised at the death but Tom Pope failed to meet Carrington’s cross-shot to the relief of the home fans. The Reds defended their lead to book their place in the draw for the next round.

Following Liverpool’s against Crewe, all attention now turns to the first Merseyside derby of the season on Saturday.

Match Stats: Liverpool 2–1 Crewe Alexandra

Liverpool: Cavalieri, Degen (Carragher,73), Hyypia, Agger, Insua, Pennant, Leiva Lucas, Plessis, El Zhar (Keane, 88), Babel, Ngog (Torres, 66).

Goals: Agger, 15, Leiva, 58

Crewe: Collis, Woodards, Baudet, O'Donnell, Jones, Moore, Bailey, O'Connor, Carrington (Grant, 82), Zola, Pope (Elding, 87)

Goals: O’Connor, 25

http://www.fernando9torres.com

“This season has seen us get off to a good start”

2008-09-25T04:05:00.000-07:00

Fernando analyses his club’s start to the season, the Champions League and the Golden Ball in an interview with ‘Radio Marca’

Fernando Torres was the guest on Spanish radio station ‘Radio Marca’. The striker was interviewed by the presenter Miguel Ángel Méndez for their top sports programme. The forward analysed Liverpool’s excellent start to the season both domestically and in Europe, looked forward to the Reds Champions League clash versus Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, and talked about France Football’s Golden Ball award.

The Anfield club are unbeaten so far this season, and the Spaniard confirmed that he is happy with his club’s positive start to the new campaign.“This season has seen us get off to a good start, and that is very much appreciated here. If you are still up there by December, then you have serious options of staying there. The big name sides rarely ever slip-up, especially during the first half of the season. If you fall too far behind, you leave yourself very few, if any options. So far this year Man United have dropped some points, Chelsea are looking the strongest side, and we are just one point behind both Arsenal and Chelsea.”

The Anfield club have their sights set on silverware this season, though of all the trophies up for grabs, the Liverpool number ‘9’ feels that the club most desire the league title. “The Premier league is the title which everyone wants, even more than the Champions League, especially considering that the club lifted the title three seasons ago. The players who have been at the club for longer have won every title possible apart from the Premier League, and the players and all also especially the fans want to win it. If they had to decide between the two, they choose the Premier league.”

When asked about which domestic championship he feels is now the most popular, Torres commented that, “a few years ago you would have said that the Italian League was top, then later it was the Spanish La Liga, but now it’s the Premier League. It’s the most exciting championship and the players want to play here. That’s how things stand today. The Premier League is a great source of entertainment for the fans; though they also play their part because they are very passionate about the game.”

Torres had words of praise and encouragement for his fellow striker Robbie Keane: “You have to give him some time. He is a player with good attributes; he knows how to keep possession, he is skilful with the ball at his feet, and he’s the type of player we have been missing. He’s a striker, and all he needs is a goal. I’m sure that after his gets his first, plenty more will follow.”

The striker confirmed to ‘Marca Radio’ that he is looking forward to returning to face his boyhood club on Matchday 3 of the Champions League. “It’s going to be special. Liverpool will be the first really big side to play at the Vicente Calderon. I have memories of playing against Real Madrid and Barcelona, but now after 11 years, Atletico finally make a return to the Champions League. They are going to be up against a club with 5 European Cups, and which can be considered one of the best teams in Europe over the last few seasons. I’m going to be lucky enough to be there, although I’m going to be playing for the opponents. I’m going to see one of my dreams come true, though I am going to experience it playing on the opposing team. No doubt there will be a lot going through my mind. From the day before kick-off, I will be meeting up with employees, and people with who I used to spend the day with. Everything from arriving at the stadium, getting changed in the visitor’s changing room, to stepping out onto the pitch, will be part a special day.”

Fernando Torres believes that he ex-club will have a good season domestically, although they will find life a little bit harder in Europe. “Atletico Madrid are capable of winning La Liga this year, but I feel that it’s too early for them to challenge for the Champions League; although they will be up there amongst the top four or eight sides. Sometimes the experience gained in playing in these types of competitions, plus the experience of playing two-legged ties, is more important than having a great team of players. Atletico are still a little way off sides like Chelsea and Manchester United.”

The Spanish striker is in the running for France Football’s Golden Ball, and according to the forward, the accolade would be, “a great end to the year. However, I feel that Cristiano Ronaldo has a greater chance of winning. Hopefully the award will go to a Spanish player, but Ronaldo is the favourite. He scored 31 goals in the league, picked up the Golden Boot and has played better than the rest.”

http://www.fernando9torres.com

Gallery

2008-09-24T05:50:00.000-07:00

Biography

2008-09-23T05:53:00.001-07:00

Chilhood

1984
I was born on the 20th of March 1984. According to what I’m told my arrival was just what my parents, Flori and Jose, needed to calm their nerves, as my brother and sister, Israel and Mari Paz, who were seven and eight respectively, were a pair of tearaways whereas I was always pretty well-behaved, in the house at least.

1985
I can’t tell you much about my first year of life because I don’t remember anything, and my family haven’t told me anything interesting about it either but I imagine I crawled about and cried a lot like all kids at that age.

1986
When I was only two I started to kick my brother’s ball around the house, and that was my first contact with football. Around then another of my hobbies was throwing things out of the window. Unluckily, one day I threw a model truck, which was full of money, out into the street. That story is pretty well known, but I think it deserves a mention in my biography, because of the difficult time it caused for my parents. It ended up as just a family anecdote, though.

The First Team (Professional Football and the National Team)
1987
At three years old I was just like my older brother. He’s seven years older than me and has always been, in some ways still is, the mirror that I look in to see myself. On the other hand my sister Mari Paz is the only one who has always let me get away with everything. In her eyes I’m still the little boy I was then, and she still treats me as if I was.

1988
At four years old I started to become really interested in football. I remember my dad played with me whenever he could, especially when we were in Gastrar, a little village in Galicia where we went for our holidays. The games basically consisted of kicking a ball around, but at that point, that was the limit of my footballing aspirations.

1989
I was five when I joined my first team, Parque 84. There was a footballathon organized in my neighbourhood sports centre, in Fuenlabrada, the area I grew up in. The matches consisted of 15 or 20 kids running around after a ball, really crazy! Nonetheless, for a kid like me at that age it was a really big deal. I was in the team for two days, that is to say for as long as the footballathon lasted. Like any other five-year-old kid, besides playing football I played other things, like bottletops, marbles, and rough games like el culete and gol alemán, among others. In nursery school I had my first girlfriend- I can’t remember her name! And they say your first love is the one that leaves a mark.

1990
From when I was six football became really important- thanks to Oliver and Benji on TV! It was a cartoon series, really good. The story was about a group of lads who start by playing football for fun, and end up as professionals. After the show me and my brother would go out and play football. I liked to imagine I was a professional footballer like the kids in the series. I played in goal until one day I got a couple of teeth knocked out by the ball and decided that my career between the sticks was finished. Great save, though.

I’ve got great memories of my childhood, but one in particular is really important: chatting with my Grandad about Atleti. My Grandad was a strange case in terms of football, the truth is football hardly interested him, but nonetheless he was passionate when it came to Atleti. The image is still fresh in my mind of my Grandad in front of me, talking without stopping, trying to get across to me the importance of being an Atletico de Madrid fan, and as witness to those wonderful talks have a plate, with his name and the Atletico badge. That plate is the best trophy I’ve got.

1991
Once I’d got over my goalkeeper phase I started to play as a forward. In that period my neighbourhood café organized a team, called ‘Mario’s Holland’. It was the second team I played in, and I got in even though I was younger than the league limit.

I played indoor football for three years, in a league, with a team strip and everything, and my dream of becoming a footballer really began to develop. Thanks to this experience I got to know what it meant to be in a team, and to have team-mates, both of which have been really important for my development as a person and as a player.

As I said before, every summer I went to Gastrar with my family. It was a big family gathering, my grandparents, uncles and aunties, cousins and of course me and my brothers were all there- I was the youngest of all, the baby. Obviously I always had to tag along, but I didn’t mind because you could keep me amused any old how in those days. For the first seven years of my life, my family, my friends, football and summers in Gastrar were the I only things I needed to be happy.

1992
Just after I turned eight my parents bought a house in Estorde, in Galicia. Although at first this might not seem so important, it turned out to be because it was there that I met the girl who ended up being my girlfriend, Olalla. Apart from that, that time in my life was important because I made friends with a group of people who are still my friends today.

1993
I was just a nine-year-old kid when I first visited the Atletico de Madrid trophy room. I remember my dad didn’t want to tell me where we were going, I don’t know which of us was more excited: him, dying to show me, or me, waiting for the big surprise. When we got there you still couldn’t say, because we both loved it.

I’d seen photos of the trophies, but I’d never seen them close up, I’d never touched them and that day I did both, and luckily since then I’ve had my hands on on or two more…. All my life I’d heard my family talk about them, the World Club Cup, the League trophies, the Cups that Atleti had won, and that day I got to see what I’d always imagined.

Atletico De Madrid (In the clubs youth teams)

1994
When I was ten I played in my first eleven-a-side team, Rayo 13. That was a good year for me. The three best players of the season were given the opportunity to try out with Atletico- I scored 55 goals that year, and thanks to that I was one of the players chosen. On the day of the trial I was really excited, dying to get out on the pitch and taste the real world. And things turned out just the way I’d hoped.

1995
I joined Atletico de Madrid at the age of eleven, that’s the lowest age team there. My coach was Manolo Rangel. I have especially fond memories of that time, thanks to Manolo. Training was a game, and the matches were fun, that was the part of my life when I most enjoyed playing football.

Shortly after joining the team we went on a trip to Belgium, it was my first away trip, I was overwhelmed. The hotel, my team-mates, everything about that trip was amazing. I was living my dream, or at least that’s how it seemed to me back then.

When you belong to a club like Atletico de Madrid at that age you live for it, it’s indescribably exciting, although I couldn’t let myself forget that football was still just a hobby for me. For my family it was a nightmare: I say a nightmare because of the effort the four of them put in so as I could become a footballer- although that wasn’t the goal then because no one knew, not one us of even imagined I’d get to where I am today.

My dad had to leave work in the afternoons to take me to training in Orcasitas, and then go back to work in Fuenlabrada by train, other times my mother took me to the training ground on the bus and on the train, whether it was raining or if it was baking hot she’d always take me. She used to say ‘if you ever get tired you don’t have to go anymore, don’t feel obliged to keep on with the football.’ But I never got tired of it. My brother and sister had to take me to training sometimes, too. While I was playing, they’d be in the stands studying, in the different grounds they had to take me to.

Without my family I never would have got into the first team, I never would have even been a footballer.

1996
My first year in the junior team, Junior B to be precise, twelve years old, the games were more difficult, the other teams had players that were older than us, which made a difference. But even so, although we didn’t win the league we finished in a good position in the table. We had the same group of players as the year before, apart from six or seven lads who’d fallen by the wayside. I spent every day playing football or studying, it was a bit hard going to be honest, but it was worth it in the end.

1997
I began the Junior A season at 13. People from outside Madrid joined the team. I remember players like Manu, Molinero and Sergio Torres, who won the European under-16 championship with me. Football was still a past-time for me, but I knew what it meant to be part of an organisation like Atletico de Madrid, and I was 13.

It was my third year of football with Atleti. My arrival coincided with the double year, and that made me even more proud to be part of the club. In just a handful of years I’ve lived through the double, relegation, promotion, happiness and disappointment as a player and a fan…I’ve seen people of all age crying in the stands, I’ve even seen the fans leave the ground happy even though the team have lost!

They’re happy to have seen Atleti, their team. It’s different from with teams like Barcelona or Real Madrid, whose fans are only interested in winning, Atleti fans follow their feelings more than the results, we like to enjoy ourselves, have a good time every Sunday, then if you win, all the better. That’s the way of thinking I got from my Granddad, the Atletico way.

1998
At cadet level I had a change of coach, Pedro Calvo was in charge of the team. I won my first important title with Pedro, and I want to thank him for his help and advice both when I was in his side, and afterwards.

I played for a year at cadet level, that was the year we played two Nike Cup tournaments, at domestic and European level. All the best teams were at those tournaments: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Manchester United, Juventus…, the standard was much higher than I’d been used to up to that point. And even so we won.

Those two trophies form part of the successful record of Atletico de Madrid junior football, and if that wasn’t enough I was voted Junior Player of the Year. I couldn’t believe what was happening, I’d gone, in such a short time, from playing with a bunch of mates in Rayo 13, to being the best European player in my age-group. I was still only fourteen years old.

1999
At fifteen I signed my first contract with Atletico de Madrid. I would have signed for life. When I was a kid and we played bottletops I was always Atleti, playing football with my mates I always imagined I was an Atleti player, and now I really was one, I was part of the club, I was an Atletico de Madrid player.

At cadet age I played my first season with the youth team and took part in the National League. The group I was in was made up of cadet level players who had stood out the year before and first year youth team players, with the aim of putting together a strong side for the Honour Division. It was then I met the coach who has been most important for my career, Abraham Garcia, who I really hope and believe will go far.

The First Team (Professional Football and the National Team)

2000

At sixteen I began the season playing in the Honour Division and I finished it in the first team. That season was amazing, but from the way it started nobody would have guessed how well it would end. Thanks to a cracked shinbone, and after an operation to put it right, I didn’t start playing until December.

2001 Things started to pick up in February when I won the Algarve Tournament with the National under-16s, in the Algarve. I really wanted to play in the under-16s European Championship which was to be held in England the following May, but it wasn’t going to be easy, me having been injured and not having taken part in the qualifiers. In the end Juan Santiesteban and Armando Ufarte gave me the chance to play.
Right after turning sixteen I played in and won the European under-16 championship. I was top scorer and chosen as Player of the Tournament, the same as had happened at cadet level. One of the most noticeable effects of that tournament was that when I got back to Madrid people would stop me in the street. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before.
After the under-16s championship I played a match with the under-18s, and I also played in the final of the Youth Champions Cup. A few days later Futre called me to tell me I was going to train with the first team, as I was going to be involved in the pre-season preparation and I might as well get integrated into the set-up. That was a Tuesday; the Wednesday I went to training, the Saturday I was in the squad and on Sunday I made my debut in El Calderon against Leganes- the 27th of May 2001. The following week I scored my first goal, against Albacete, and a few weeks later I suffered my first great professional disappointment when we missed out on promotion to the First Division, on goal difference, after the game against Getafe. That year I got to know all about success and failure. For me personally it had been a great season, but as a team we had not accomplished our objective, and the disappointment was intense. I’d been in the first team for a month and I’d already been through things which some footballers might not experience in their whole career. And my career had only just begun. In November I played in the under-17 World Cup, in Trinidad and Tobago. It wasn’t a good experience as far as results on the pitch are concerned, but nonetheless it helped me grow professionally. I began the new season with the first team. 2002That year we achieved promotion a few weeks before the end of the season, and despite not having had a great year personally, I was very happy that we had reached our goal. Two years previous the club had incurred a great debt to the fans, and we’d paid it back by getting back to the place we never should have left in the first place, the First Division.
In July, 18 by now, I played in the under-19s European Championship in Norway. We arrived with great expectations, we had a good team, even though we did make thing a bit complicated for ourselves by drawing with the Czech Republic. We made up for it with victories over the hosts, Norway, and Slovakia, playing excellent football. We beat the Germans in the final, I was sharp enough and lucky enough to score the winning goal in a game in which both teams played exceptionally. We were champions again, and once again I was both top scorer and Player of the Tournament.
After a year in the Second Division which hadn’t gone too well for me the fans were waiting to see what I’d be capable of in the First Division. It was a good season, I scored thirteen goals and played well all year- especially in the home games against Barcelona and against Deportivo La Coruña. Those two games marked my footballing career, in a way, because after those games the fans really started to believe in me, in my ability.

2003

In the First Division there’s more technique, more space, and that works to the advantage of attractive and spectacular football. Different from the Second Division, where tactical play is more important and many teams often make up for lasck of talent with an excess of toughness. That year I also made my debut with the under-21s, won more sep towards fulfilling my dream of playing for the full National side. With professional success comes recognition, and with this recognition comes fame.

I’m an accessible person. I think signing autographs after a training session is almost a duty, a moral obligation. I’m aware of the enthusiasm and excitement that the fans feel towards me, the respect and affection they have for me. In fact, not long ago I was one of them. Being important to the fans is a source of pride and satisfaction for me. What I don’t like so much is the loss of privacy, not being able to have a good time with friends in a public place like any normal person, which at the end of the day is what I am.

2004

My second season in the First Division was even better than the first. At nineteen years old I made my debut with the National Team, and at twenty I was playing in the European Championship. On top of that I scored twenty league goals, a good total.

Nonetheless there were two big disappointments for me: the first with Atletico de Madrid, in that after having been in the European places for much of the season, we missed out on the last day of the season- despite winning at San Mamés (home of Athletic Bilbao); the second big let-down was the European Championship- I still can’t understand how we didn’t beat Portugal- it was a disaster for all of us that got to me a lot, we had a great chance and I still don’t know how we let it slip away from us.

2005

Things did not go as well as we had hoped for Atletico in the 2004-05 season. Although I played in all the League games, scoring 16 goals, it wasn’t enough to get us into Europe. We even lost in the Cup semi-finals against Osasuna. All our hopes of getting a title for Atletico faded away and we were all dreadfully disappointed.

The season’s positive note was the National Team’s classification for the World Cup in Germany. Although we had some difficulties, we had to play the playoffs against Slovakia and we fulfilled our aim of getting classified.

2006

Atleti made a secure bet to the season 05/06. The club signed a very good coach. Carlos Bianchi won everything with Vélez and Boca, but with us he wasn’t very lucky. The truth is, he didn’t adapt himself to the squad neither the squad adapted to him. That’s why; the first months of the season weren’t good enough. The League was getting very hard. The arrival of Pepe Murcia was like a balm and we overcame winning six consecutives matches. The previous dynamic was dangerous and the new coach gave us enough moral to straighten the way. Pitifully, we didn’t keep that regularity acquired before and we couldn’t achieve the European place.

The nicest face of the season I lived it with the National Team at Germany’s World Cup. Representing my country in the greatest championship of the World and playing against the best players of the world has been for me a dream come true. I suffered the elimination in France’98 and Korea on television, but by the first time I was able to try helping to change history. The motivation of the group was extraordinary and all of us were prepared because we knew it could have been the Spain World Cup.

We overcame the first phase very good. At collective level, the team stood out with good play and goals, while the coach gave me his confidence and I scored three goals. I even leaded the classification of goal scorers after the second round of the championship. At eights to final, we had to compete against one of the strongest teams, France. We did the worst match of the tournament and we had to make the luggage. The experience of a veteran rival affected more than the quality and the courage of our national team. However, I understand that at Germany we built a young team and with quality that I am sure in the future will give a lot of happiness to the supporters.

The performance at the World Cup make people talk about my future. Summer, like always, was spotted of the offers I rejected. Sincerely, several teams were interested formally on me, but we said to all of them I wasn’t moving from Atleti. To demonstrate my faithfulness to my colours of all my life, I decided to accepted the proposal of the team to wide my contract for one more season, until June 2009.

In the season 06/07 we are in European places since the beginning of the League. My wish is to achieve, finally, a European place to play in Europe next campaign. Another of my dreams was gone: not to play the final of the King’s Cup.

Liverpool (My debut in the English football and Champions League)

2007

It was not an easy decision for me to make back in 2007. In fact, the decision actually turned out to be the most important one of my life so far. The offer from Liverpool to challenge the best was enough for me to finally decide to leave behind the club where I had spent the last twelve years, including seven spent in Atletico’s first team. My best memories from childhood are bathed in red and white, but I needed a change. I was very close to becoming part of a great project, a dream possibility. At the time of making the decision I was confident that I made the right choice. Looking back over the last few months, this view has been strengthened. Atletico Madrid needed to live without Torres, and Torres needed to leave Atletico. Things are working out for both of us, and that is great news.

Events on the pitch at Atletico Madrid were no better than last year. On the final day of the season we missed out on a place in Europe, a position we had defended throughout most of the year. Once again I went off on holiday feeling that we had not achieved the objectives. All the hard work we had put in from September disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Summer began as normal with time to rest and look back, but a phone call changed everything. Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez wanted me to form part of his new project. It was late afternoon and he caught me out walking the dogs! When the phone rang, I saw that it was a number from abroad. I didn’t answer. The next day I received another call, this time I picked-up the phone. When I heard Rafa’s voice, I frooze. I was not expecting a call from him. He explained to me his plans and ideas, and I replied that he should speak to the owner of Atletico Madrid, Miguel Angel Gil. There wouldn’t be any problems as long as the clubs could reach an agreement. From that moment on, I felt that this was not just any offer. A great club, the most successful in English football, was asking for me, when they could have gone after any world class striker.

I arrived at Anfield after saying goodbye to the fans, team-mates and employees at Atletico Madrid. I thanked them for how well they had treated me during my time there. Everything was new at Liverpool and it was an exciting prospect; my official presentation at the club, the first few training sessions at Melwood, the preseason at Switzerland and Austria… my first goal for the Reds and my first matches in the Premier League, Champions League and the Carling Cup. I have a very fond memory of my first Premiership goal. It was scored at Anfield against Chelsea. It was without doubt one of my best moments so far in my career. It was my debut in front of our fans, and things could not have turned out any better. In our first good attack, Steve Gerrard played me in with a great ball which I duly collected and put past the Chelsea keeper.

I have always enjoyed English football. I had watched quite a lot of games at home and I always thought that I could fit in quite well with the pace and the intensity of the football played there. The pace of the game was actually a lot quicker than I could ever have imagined.

Everything has gone really smoothly! To play for Liverpool alongside players like Gerrard, Reina, Mascherano or Carragher, is a dream opportunity and I want to give my all for the club. With the help of my team-mates and the support from the Kop, the goals started to arrive. I was always confident in my ability to do well, but I never thought that everything would work-out so quickly. Life in Liverpool is easy going. There is a lot less media pressure than back in Spain, and the fans also treat players with the upmost respect. The weather is not that bad, and it does not rain as often as many would have you believe. The season is moving on and we will try to meet the objectives set out.

The fans have taken to me as one of their own. The welcome I received from the Kop was as good as it gets. During three of the first five months since arriving, I have been voted the best player by supporters. In another vote held at the end of the year, I was voted the second best player for the whole of 2007, behind Gerrard. The support from fans during the matches is also unbelievable. I felt very proud the first time I heard them sing my name. I was later told that the chant was the same they used for both Dalglish and Fowler, two Liverpool legends. I have been fortunate enough to meet them and they both explained to me exactly what Liverpool means to the fans. To follow in their steps is a beautiful and emotional challeng

About Torres Mania

2008-09-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

I'm Fans Fernando Torres !!!!
I'm Fans El Nino !!!!