The Daily Telegraph kindly awarded Fernando Torres 5 out of 10 for his performance against Manchester United this weekend. Never has a player been so lucky to even have received that: El Nino was shocking. I anticipate that many die-hard Liverpool fans will bring up the same old rhetoric; “his supply from the midfield is inadequate”, “he always plays better when Gerrard is on the pitch” and so forth. These points I do not dispute, after all, the only bit of real ‘Nando magic that I have seen of him this season came from an excellent through ball from Stevie G against Bolton. However, what I am arguing is that his demeanour and swagger on the Old Trafford pitch yesterday suggested a man that wants out of Liverpool, and fast.
There is no question that the man was absolutely fantastic in the early part of his Anfield career under Rafael Benitez. He was quite simply, unstoppable. Yet this season, and it may have a lot to do with no longer having the connection with a Spanish manager, or even Spanish players, Torres has been worse than David N’gog; and that is saying something.
Nevertheless, it is not merely his poor performances that have disappointed me so greatly. It is also his attitude. Torres was one player I used to consider a genuine footballer; professional, sincere, passionate, and honest. However, in every game I have seen him in this season he has moped around the football pitch like a child that has been denied his pocket-money. He has repeatedly stared at his fellow players with a look in his eye that suggests ‘I cannot believe I have to play with such mediocrity week-in-week-out’.
I can hear the response already: “But that fact is that he IS having to play with terrible players”, and, yes, it is a point that I cannot deny. Nevertheless, the man is a professional. He is being paid a vast sum of money to play for Liverpool, and as a result he should be busting his balls to get what used to be such an immense club, out of the mire that it is currently in; not sulking his way through matches. You do not see Steven Gerrard acting in such a juvenile manner.
If ‘King Kenny’ cannot get more out of ‘Nando, maybe it is time for him to go. Realistically Liverpool are looking at a three-year plan to get themselves out of this horrendous situation. If it were me, I would be searching for passionate players eager to get the club back to the top, and dispose of the players that are merely going to be looking forlornly at the ‘good old days’ when Liverpool was a top-four side; bring in Bent, and say ‘ta ‘ta to Torres.
Follow me on Twitter (nickweaser)
