It took just three league appearances and one goal from Fernando Torres before Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was forced to play down the comparisons with Kenny Dalglish.
Now, after another eye-catching performance and two more goals in the 6-0 win over Derby at the weekend, it’ll be hard for Reds fans to resist the idea that Torres can bring the league title back to Anfield.
It was at the end of the 1989-90 season that Dalglish finally retired as a player, having just overseen Liverpool’s march to an 18th league title. Can it be just coincidence that the club are still waiting for championship number 19?
Until now, perhaps, Liverpool have not had a forward like him. Peter Beardsley was forced out just a year later, John Barnes was soon in decline and Jari Litmanen was sadly underused by Gerard Houllier.
Torres might not have the sheer talent of Dalglish, he might stumble over a pass more often than you’d like from a 36 million euros signing, but he has great vision (see the pass that helped set up the Voronin goal against Derby) and a gift for inspiration (the touch that took him past Ben Haim for the goal against Chelsea).
“Whether or not he was overpriced at £27 million, hes given Liverpool whatever it was they were lacking up front,” Daryl writes at The Offside.
Liverpool’s 6-0 win over Deby took them top of the Premier League for the first time since November 2002. Will they still be there at the season’s end?
Kevin Fylan
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23 comments so far
I don’t know who made the original observation but I don’t see too much in the styles of play to warrant it. Torres has pace in abundance, Kenny did not, Torres plays far more on the defenders shoulder than Kenny ever did and after a couple more years at the club his English has got to be better than Kenny’s.
I think King Kenny scored approx one goal in three for Liverpool but set up loads more, notably for Ian Rush. I’m hoping Torres can score at a better rate and who knows, maybe it’s Kuyt who will warrant the Dalglish comparisons. Kuyt’s physical style on the pitch is more reminiscent, particularly when he’s got his back to goal inside the penalty area, backside thrust out to shield the ball and lower his centre of gravity. Hopefully Kuyt and Torres can become the new Dalglish and Rush……..
….now does that make Voronin the new Michael Robinson?
ps I miss the sums you had to do in order to post. Nothing like keeping the old grey matter exercised. So who can tell me which former Liverpool midfield regular went on to manage Southend United.
- Posted by JimI think there’s a very good chance they’ll still be there. With Man City and United diverting their energies to squabbling and dribbling rather than scoring and winning, I reckon Liverpool are very well placed. Saturday’s performance was a taster of the spark that Torres can add.
- Posted by fionaI don’t think they’re that similar either, but I have been impressed by how much of a provider Torres can be. I thought he was more of an out-and-out striker but he’s got more to his game than that. Now if Peter Crouch were Ian Rush they might have a chance of winning the title.
- Posted by LondonIf Torres can do the business with Liverpool at club level, then perhaps he’ll be able to use that experience and inspire Spain to victory in next year’s Euro championships. And maybe we’ll see him lifting the World Cup as Spain’s victorious captain in 2010. He’s got the talent - and seems to have the brains too.
- Posted by IainTorres must be wondering what all the fuss was about in the Premier League. He’s found it easier than Spain so far.
- Posted by Elena…..Liverpool midfield regular went on to manage Southend United.
The answer is Ronnie Whelan!!
- Posted by JackI believe it was the great, underrated Ronnie Whelan who went on to manage Southend.
- Posted by DavidJack, David, you are of course correct. And Jim, thanks for the question. If anyone’s in the mood for more, how about these…
Kenny Dalglish won three European Cups with Liverpool. Who won four?
And, just for fun, one that’s a matter of opinion:
What was the worst piece of transfer business Graeme Souness did as Liverpool boss? Was it selling Peter Beardsley (as mentioned above)? Or do you have another preference?
- Posted by Kevin FylanClarence seedorf won four Champions league medals. Graeme Souness selling Beardsley was definitely his biggest error, the purchase of Torben Piechnik was pretty bad too.
- Posted by jamesckWait, Phil Neal won 4 with Liverpool:)
- Posted by jamesckKevin would that be the great Phil Neal?
Worst Souness Signing?
Istvan Kozma cost £300,000 from Dunfermline in 1992 and played just three games for the Reds before Souey realised he’d made a balls of it.
- Posted by TattyhokerAgreed Tattyhoker, the words ‘Istvan’ and ‘Kozma’ pretty much sum up the early nineties at Anfield…
If I could throw in two more
Bar their starring roles in the epic 3-3 draw with Man Utd in 1994, the double capture of Nigel Clough and Neil Rudduck the previous summer was pretty awful.
When you consider Roy Keane broke the British transfer record when moving to United for £3.75 million at the same time, at £2.75 mil (Clough) and £2.5 mil (Razor), the pair weren’t the cheapest of mistakes.
- Posted by Padraic HalpinSelling Ray Houghton. That was suicide, man. Suicide. Houghton was the Dalglish-esque player they needed.
- Posted by LondonSigning Dean Saunders for £2.9m instead of Ian Wright for £2.5m takes the garibaldi…….oh that and flogging Ray Houghton in a hissy fit.
Didn’t Souness sign George Weah’s cousin when he was at Southampton….. only he wasn’t George Weah’s cousin, he was an impostor and after a brief appearance as a substitute he was substituted and was never seen again.
- Posted by JimHe’s a Proper forward I for one would like Liverpool to win the League this year if only to break the monotony of the usual 3 suspects winning it all the time…
Ive always Rated Torres (living in Spain I watched him alot on TV) he’s doing exactly what he did for Athletico..He’s at his brilliant best on his own with a defender and a GK to beat..Really really exciting player and Im not even a Liverpool fan..he’ll bag 20+ Goals this year and Liverpool will go very, very close atlast with a decent threat upfront
- Posted by LeeComparing Torres to King Kenny is
I put my money 2mths before the start of the season on Liverpool to win the league. 1st time i ever did it
Even if not now, definetely within 3yrs with this current batch of players.
- Posted by Five Timesl am fan liverpool form va beach
- Posted by paul lapkeI was sure someone was going to mention Paul Stewart:)
And it certainly was Phil Neal, as Tattyhoker and jamesc mentioned.
- Posted by Kevin FylanTorres is a power house 20 goals i think so y not he is the new henry just from spain he is better than the drogba and rooney and it’s his first year scary to think what he will be like next year
- Posted by PATRICK[…] fans might prefer the league title, a first since 1990, rather than the Champions League. Torres could well be the man to fulfil those ambitions — if Benitez plays him. Liverpool stand fourth in the league, four points off leaders […]
- Posted by Can Rafa afford to keep dropping Torres? - Reuters Soccer BlogIstvan Kozma was a good player who Souness played completely wrongly.
- Posted by I_h8_manureI think that torres is one of the best players in the premiership this season. As well i am liverpool’s number 1 fan. LIVERPOOL 4 THE TITLE and they are going to beat Villa.
- Posted by iona whiteHi iona
He’s gone from strength to strength since this article was written and I think most people would agree he’s been one of the big success stories this season. As for the title, I think it might all be over for Liverpool for another year. It certainly will be if they DON’T beat Villa tonight.
- Posted by Kevin Fylan