Liverpool defeat West Bromwich Albion 1-0; Fernando Torres scores - Part 1
The world class Spanish striker Fernando Torres showed exactly why he was so important to Liverpool and why so many teams have tried to acquire the coveted striker with humongous bids but were met by refusals as Liverpool won against West Bromwich Albion 1-0.
Though the 26 year old striker was not at his best in the match but his performance showed that he was making his comeback and promised a lot in the season. Torres had been a disappointed since the ides of March as he hit his rock bottom performance; scoring no goals and then finally becoming injured which ruled him out for a large part of the season and Liverpool were heavily affected by that. In the end the player managed just in time to participate in the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa which ultimately Spain won.
During the tournament in South Africa Torres performed poorly and got himself demoted from the first lineup eventually injuring himself in the final moments of the final. He ruled himself out for two weeks and then continued him evading show form the Liverpool manager if he was going to play with Liverpool for another season. In the end Hodgson was successful in persuading him to stay at the club.
Though clubs had bid up to 70 million pounds for the striker, Hodgson’s emphatic refusal of sending him off and the players deteriorating performance in the World Cup took away chances of the player being sent off to a new club. Nevertheless no glory can be taken away from the Spanish international as he once again proved to be the saviour of Liverpool as he scored his 50th goal for the Merseyside and with it became the fastest Liverpuddlian to do so.
Torres was given rest in the Europa League play-off matches as the team went up against the Turkish club Trabzonspor. In the end the decision was prudent as the player looked well rested running all over the place after the ball. In Europa League, the Reds also scored a victory and proceeded to the Group stages even though Hodgson played a lot of men from his second team in the matches. Now with the win against the Baggies, rejoicing in Liverpool is remembered.
Torres had not scored a goal for both his club and country in the last 10 matches even though the player is well known for his abilities. In the previous fixtures Torres was seen fumbling with the ball and his strikes were often to far off from the net. Being the heart of Liverpool attack, Torres needed to perform for the Reds to win. Hodgson has been trying to get a good second striker to help Torres who can also perform as a shadow striker but he has been unsuccessful so far though Hodgson has commented that he will sign one before the transfer window closes on 31stAugust.
In the match against West Brom, Torres had a good 3 chances to score a goal in the first half of the match but he was not able to capitalize on them. Furthermore when he attempted the shots the lack of a shadow striker was far too ominous.
Torres’ first attempt to draw first blood came in the 3rd minute but the ball just curled away into the open arms of Baggies keeper Scott Carson. Carson also happens to be a former Liverpool goal keeper. There was another close chance after that in which a close ranged striker was blasted of into the crowd from the near post by El Nino.
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