Source: Daily_Mail
Tormented Spain striker Fernando Torres keeps Liverpool exit door ajar
Amid increasing debate about the future of Fernando Torres, one tale should worry Liverpool supporters more than most.[LNB]At the start of the season, a major European club contacted the Spaniard's representatives to seek his feelings about a move. 'No chance,' was the reply. In December, the question was posed again. 'Maybe... one day,' came the response.[LNB]Now, history tells us to be cautious when taking soundings from those who claim to represent modern footballers. Are they, for example, who they say they are? And, if they are, are they being honest about the feelings of their client?[LNB] Lethal: Fernando Torres was back to his clinical best against Portsmouth[LNB]This weekend, however, Torres added his own on-the-record feelings to a debate that will continue to swirl around Anfield for as long as Liverpool thrash around in the mire of mediocrity into which Rafael Benitez has led them.[LNB]'Hopefully my future is here but the fans are worried that players may leave,' said Torres in a Spanish newspaper. 'That is a problem. What is really important is that the club make an effort to bring in players to improve the quality of the squad. [LNB]'We need four or five players, better than those we have.'[LNB]Nobody looking objectively at Liverpool's situation would argue with Torres's sentiments. In his three seasons at the club he has earned the right to express his opinion and, indeed, the right to expect team-mates of a similar calibre to himself.[LNB]He does, however, strike at the very heart of Liverpool's dilemma. Torres clearly does not wish to leave Liverpool. He has looked at home on Merseyside ever since he made a mug of Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim to score at Anfield shortly after his move from Atletico Madrid.[LNB] A star is born: Fernando Torres celebrates his first goal for Liverpool (above) after moving to the club from Atletico Madrid [LNB] But how long does he wait? Steven Gerrard, for example, has been pushing and fighting and scoring and tackling for Liverpool for a decade and still does not have a Premier League winner's medal to show for it. [LNB]Will the Liverpool captain have regrets when his career is over? In all likelihood, he will.[LNB]It may transpire, of course, that Torres's future is intrinsically linked to that of his manager. But that does not necessarily offer any cause for comfort right now.[LNB]Despite the loyal support he still enjoys from many Liverpool supporters, there are those who think that Benitez should be encouraged to leave this summer.[LNB]Six years without a league title is, in the eyes of some, quite long enough.[LNB]But there is a Spanish spine to this club these days. It begins at Benitez and runs through players such as Torres and Pepe Reina (and to a lesser extent through the clutch of South Americans in the squad) and also through Benitez's coaching staff and down to the academy, where former Barcelona man Jose Segura is now in situ.[LNB]If Benitez goes then do all these people stay? Surely that is unlikely. And where would Liverpool stand, then?[LNB]On Monday night, Torres played at the top of a formation that also featured the hitherto disappointing midfielders Alberto Aquilani and Ryan Babel.[LNB] Match-winner: Torres continues to make decisive contributions for Liverpool[LNB]The striker's Premier League record of 13 goals in 18 games is impressive but tells the story of a season disrupted by injury. In missing a hat-trick of chances at Wigan a week ago, Torres looked out of practice.[LNB]If Liverpool are to win enough games to rescue this season at home and in Europe, then Torres must begin to look more like the player of last year and he existed on the periphery of this game for the first 25 minutes. [LNB]But in nudging home Maxi Rodriguez's pass after Jamie Ashdown's mistake, Torres laid the foundations of a vital victory and proceeded to take the game away from Portsmouth.[LNB]Two minutes later, a neat turn and pass allowed Babel to score and then a smart back-heel set up Aquilani to make it 3-0. Soon after as Portsmouth fell apart Torres struck the post. He sealed the win with Liverpool's fourth goal in the second half.[LNB]This, of course, is what good players do. They make decisive contributions. They shape games. Torres remains one of the world's best. As such, he deserves the right stage.[LNB]When he says he loves Liverpool, he means it. But does he love them enough to sacrifice some of the best years of his career? If he does, then he really is a one-off. Liverpool 4 Portsmouth 1: Two-goal Fernando Torres leads Reds back into race for the top four spotLiverpool can't afford to sack Benitez! Firing would trigger £16m pay-offLiverpool set to keep hold of Gerrard and Torres after £100m investmentTorres ready to quit Liverpool: Dismal season forces striker to ponder futureUnited winger Ryan Giggs back 'to destroy Liverpool's title record' LIVERPOOL FC
