Sport Liverpool Football Club

[Graham S]

The Chelsea train was leaving now, it's far from clear he'd have the option in the summer. This was when Roman wanted the deal and he had the money to push it through.

Whether that talk of last summer, about staying because of his importance to the sale process is true, who knows, but it's not been a terrible time for him to leave as it turns out, whereas it would have been deserting the sinking ship back then.

I'm sure it's been a mad scramble, and we had to pay a massive premium for Carroll but Roman effectively paid that premium for us. The fact that Torres has been shopping himself around is hardly a surprise. The timing of the bid is the only unpredictable aspect, and that wasn't in Torres' control.

I'm sure Torres did have affection for the club when he said those things, there are analogies between us and Atletico, but I think expecting those feelings to run deep and against his own interests is naive. It's a job. Gerrard nearly did the same thing when the club was in a much stronger position, and he had the whole boyhood ties / local hero thing going on.

I'll be sad to see him in blue, and it's a shame it's come to this, but the bitter cries of treason are football fan nonsense and pantomime.

[Guest]

To describe what has happened to Liverpool over the last few years as one bad season is hilarious!

We finish second ahead of Chelsea. A season after this suddenly we aren't good enough and he's getting the arse. Torres is an uppity little bullshitter without any sort of patience.

He probably would have gone to Man City or Man Utd if he'd had the chance - in fact he surely would have. He's full of shit.

I guess you hope that Gerrard had left too, he certainly had a right to.

[Graham S]

Most of his grievances were sorted out this window? Really? How do you know? I think you're confusing your imaginings of what's been going on in Torres' head with a reality that we can only guess. Beyond the myth-making and fantasy there's a 26 year old sportsman who has the same right to choose where he works, who with and for how much as any of us. I just can't see that he's made a bad decision. Obviously I hope with hindsight it will proved to be a misjudgement of Owen proportions.

[rjpageuk]

I think you are over-reacting Dinobot, and Graham has summed up the situation well.

I felt betrayed by Torres when I first heard about it mainly because of the timing and because it was Chelsea but on reflection we got a great fee for him, Torres wants a chance to win things now and he will more likely get that and Chelsea so it is time to move on.

[Hawkeye]

We finish second ahead of Chelsea. A season after this suddenly we good enough and he's getting the arse. Torres is an uppity little bullshitter without any sort of patience.

I guess you hope that Gerrard had left too, he certainly had a right to.

Since finishing second Liverpool sold two of their big name playesr prior to Torres going, in Alonso and Mascherano and replaced them with what? There's also been the drama about the sale of the club. A dismal run in the CL last season, no CL this year and looking highly unlikely to be any next season. Add to that a top four finish is going to be tougher now.

In the mean time Chelsea have picked up trophies. Look at it from an outsiders view. Who do you think they'd pick as the most likely to win the Premiership or Champions League between Liverpool and Chelsea over the next few years?

[Graham S]

We finish second ahead of Chelsea. A season after this suddenly we aren't good enough and he's getting the arse. Torres is an uppity little bullshitter without any sort of patience.

He probably would have gone to Man City or Man Utd if he'd had the chance - in fact he surely would have. He's full of shit.

I guess you hope that Gerrard had left too, he certainly had a right to.

Our league position isn't the only thing that's changed about LFC since Torres signed his new contract. Have you not been paying attention?

It made sense for Gerrard to stay. If we'd won the title he would have had everything he dreamed of, and we weren't a million miles away. One title with us would have meant a lot more to him that a truckload of silver won elsewhere.

[SMD]

Most of his grievances were sorted out this window? Really? How do you know? I think you're confusing your imaginings of what's been going on in Torres' head with a reality that we can only guess. Beyond the myth-making and fantasy there's a 26 year old sportsman who has the same right to choose where he works, who with and for how much as any of us. I just can't see that he's made a bad decision. Obviously I hope with hindsight it will proved to be a misjudgement of Owen proportions.

Between last summer and the past week we have:

- got in owners who, at the very very least, do not have debts on the club that restrict its ability to buy players using its own generated funds.

- removed a manager who proved deeply unpopular amongst the fans and some players and replaced him with a man who was willing to play to his strengths again

- make offers for attacking players to boost our season now, not to wait for the summer

- to stabilise the club by rebuilding the board room and management starting with new directors and a DOF

I'd say that deals with most of the grievances of last summer.

[Guest]

He signed a new contract in May 2009 with a £40,000 payrise. A year later he's had enough. If it was only "A year and a half" why did he sign that new contract?

Let me reiterate, I'm glad he's fucked off. I just hope that our new signings can do well. While it's been mentioned elsewhere that "You should buy players to fit the system, not the other way round" the issue there is that if Carroll is a target man, then where's our width? Nzogbia might have been a possible yet we were never in for him. He had a decent game last night too.

While there's optimism in all this, and generally I trust Kenny in the transfer market, it seems like a bit of a big bloody punt at the moment. And our defence is shakier than a Mohammed Ali wank.

[Graham S]

May 2009 is pretty much precisely when the wheels fell off.

[Guest]

Our league position isn't the only thing that's changed about LFC since Torres signed his new contract. Have you not been paying attention?

Do you have as little patience as him? As noted we've suddenly made strides to remove the former Americans (The king is dead etc), gone in for players, new manager, and are turning things around.

He signs a new contract and ONE YEAR later it's clear he's pissed off.

Hang on. According to Wiki Torres signed a new contact AFTER Alonso had left. So we're selling our best players, etc - why did he stick around then, why did he sign that new contract? I'll tell you why. CA-CHING. We were some sort of stepping stone for him to get out of Spain and into the Premiership/get known. What he's said in the past was obviously carefully crafted bullshit. What's not to understand about that?

[Guest]

May 2009 is pretty much precisely when the wheels fell off.

So it's May 2009 now and not a year and a half?

Again - so it's one bad season, then he gets injured and is out from April and is shit at the world cup, and he's upset.

Enough of this, it's good he's fucked off. Kenny knew this so was happy to let him go; he looked into his eyes and saw he was full of shit and was happy to take the wedge for him. I do hope his career free falls horrendously.

[Graham S]

And it seems like SMD is saying with Kenny and Suarez we're back in the big time and Torres is a fool not to agree. Disciple is saying that we've still got a unbalanced, unproven team with a number of glaring weaknesses.

I'd say we're at the start of a whole new, difficult project that even if it works is years away from bearing fruit. (Which is a situation I would have grasped with both hands last summer, I'm delighted).

That's a project and a set of owners/management that Torres never personally committed to, and his confidence in the present team seems closer to Disciple's point of view.

He craves the cash and to compete at the top level. He gets a crack at the CL this year (I think) and a key role in Roman's renewed attempt to replace Mourinho's veterans.

[Graham S]

I've got more patience than Torres. He's got four more years at his peak if injury doesn't take him first. I don't have a choice, LFC4LIFE, yo.

[dogsout]

You sound like a jilted lover: "why, why, why, WHY!?".

Just move on, man. He's gone, let it go. We've brought in some exciting talent in his place, and things are on the up. Be positive.

[SMD]

And it seems like SMD is saying with Kenny and Suarez we're back in the big time and Torres is a fool not to agree. Disciple is saying that we've still got a unbalanced, unproven team with a number of glaring weaknesses.

I'd say we're at the start of a whole new, difficult project that even if it works is years away from bearing fruit. (Which is a situation I would have grasped with both hands last summer, I'm delighted).

That's a project and a set of owners/management that Torres never personally committed to, and his confidence in the present team seems closer to Disciple's point of view.

He craves the cash and to compete at the top level. He gets a crack at the CL this year (I think) and a key role in Roman's renewed attempt to replace Mourinho's veterans.

Not saying we're back in the big time but that the intent is there. That while we're not going to outspend everyone to win the league asap, we're at least going to see a faster improvement than the four years it took us to finish a close second.

[Guest]

And it seems like SMD is saying with Kenny and Suarez we're back in the big time and Torres is a fool not to agree. Disciple is saying that we've still got a unbalanced, unproven team with a number of glaring weaknesses.

Chelsea have problems too, let's hope these are exploited further. Terry has the pace of the Queen.

He craves the cash and to compete at the top level. He gets a crack at the CL this year (I think) and a key role in Roman's renewed attempt to replace Mourinho's veterans.

Yep he craves the cash and to compete for top trophies. No patience, a lot of what he said was utter horseshit. How can that not be even siding on the edge of reprehensible behaviour, especially considering his comments? Many football pundits and managers, experienced in this far more than we are, agree that he's been a bit of a shit about it. Graham_S doesn't.

I'm also sure I can take the best corners out of anyone here in the thread, so that gives me a +1 of validity to my comments.

As I said, enough. We'll have to do with what we've got and to accept that 99% of footballers are scumbags. What's most surprising to me is that Gerrard actually comes out pretty well now considering, when compared to Torres.

[Graham S]

It's precisely because he's been injured and shit and pissed off with his teammates and tactics and managers and owners that it's time for a fresh start, see if things improve (and in case they don't, best earn some petrodollars while you're still one of the highest valued commodities on the planet).

If you're unhappy at work, get a new job for more money. It worked for me, it can work for him too. And LFC don't have to nurse him back to form and fitness and happiness while his contract runs out and the value of our key asset depreciates.

[rgraves]

Anyway, the game tonight - are we going to beat Stoke? Suarez clearly won't start (will he!?), but how will we line-up post-Torres and pre-Carroll?

[fat flatulent git]

Most players aren't scumbags - most fans are just morons. Fans of all teams - not singling out Liverpool fans. They're happy to accept big name transfers TO their team, just not out of it.

[Graham S]

Pundits just come out with the usual pantomime bullshit, that's their job. Few players would make a different decision in his situation. He became a mercenary rather than a romantic when he left Spain. He told us some nice things and we took them more to heart than we should. You want it to be one way, but it's the other. You'll know better next time.

[Dom B]

Maybe, just maybe, Torres starting getting itchy feet when the manager who had faith in him and brought him to England was sacked, and his friend/roommate Benayoun went to Chelsea. This on top of the generally shite state of affairs with the quality of the squad and finances. He wanted out right there and then but was persuaded to stay as he was important to the sale of the club.

Nobody with any sense can really believe we're in a better position to win trophies than Chelsea, it's totally understandable he should move there for his career. We're at least 18 months away from CL qualification. What pisses me off is that he couldn't be bothered to put in the effort for one season and leave in the summer, instead preferring to sulk for six months and jump ship in January in order to not miss one chance at winning the CL.

[Oh Danny Boy]

It was pretty clear what you meant, and it comes across as massively disrespectful to Blackpool.

i think its ironic that you're attacking me for percieved immaturity is the apparent mature thing to do

last time i checked this was a place for light hearted banter between liverpool fans and others who like to join in. But if things are to be kept extremely serious then i'm sorry i shall go and write a letter of apology to Blackpool, Ian Holloway and Redknapp for the offence i must have caused them.

When i'm at that i might as well write a letter of apology to all the other characters in football that must have been hurt by my disrespectful football banter over the years.

Andy Carroll; sorry for calling you a pike. Michaeol Owen; i'll never make fun of your injuries again. Gerrard; we know you don't like them young. Arsene Wenger; same to you there fella. Fergie; your not a red nosed twat. Barton; i know you like ethnic minorities, hope theres no harm. Everton in general; we all go through tough periods. Abramovich; your not dodgy your an extremely legit bloke. Terry; i shall never mention your playing away and being a jerk ever again. Lampard; your not fat. Drogba; sorry for insinuating that you dive. Crouch; your a handsome guy. HIcks and Gillete; hey, all well that ends well eh? Traore; your name is not dancing Traore sorry. Souness; your actually a good manager sorry for saying otherwise. Hodgson; same there fella. Micah Richards; your toally not a dick. Defoe; you weren't a jerk in school just misunderstood. Keane; hey nothing wrong with being a fan of multiple clubs during your childhood. West Ham fans; i'll just stop mocking your plight in general. Drogba again, fuck actually i should really apologise to him multiple times, Shearer; none of those elbows were intentional sorry for saying you were dirty

you guys and many more shall expect a formal letter of apology for my crass behaviour i just hope i'll learn from this in the future

[SMD]

Negged for spelling and grammar.

[Guest]

Negged for spelling and grammar.

It's all about Adam's for me

[Chewylegs]

So anyway......tonight, I can't watch it but I am hoping to walk back into my house at 8:40pm, 2-0 up, Suarez on the goal sheet.

I'll be all :) and Torres who??? if that happens!

[Guest]

So anyway......tonight, I can't watch it but I am hoping to walk back into my house at 8:40pm, 2-0 up, Suarez on the goal sheet.

I'll be all :) and Torres who??? if that happens!

Exciting times we get a look at him! And hopefully the team's progress will continue.

Last night was a fantastic evening's viewing. I caught all 4 games by watching 1 and recording the other as Football First repeated itself. It will be the Liverpool game first for me...so you'll all be happy to know I won't be posting until probably tomorrow once the game starts.

[Takizawa]

I'm not expecting anything special, against a team like Stoke you'll take a win over a performance. (Was that Andy Gray cliche-tastic?)

I'm going to say 2-1, Kuyt and Gerrard (penalty) with the goals.

[ras el hanout]

He was pursuaded to sign a new contract to help the sale of the club. That's probably the stupidest thing I've ever heard and I've heard some stupid things in this thread.

So I guess Liverpool is a less enticing prospect for a buyer this week than it was last week?

He's went for the money.

[ras el hanout]

He craves the cash and to compete at the top level. He gets a crack at the CL this year (I think) and a key role in Roman's renewed attempt to replace Mourinho's veterans.

But get this, if he hadn't been moping around like a fucking idiot all season dreaming of his pal Benayoun then we might be playing CL football next season. Thanks Torres!

As has been said Fabregas didn't get the move he wanted, he still tried for Arsenal throughout.

[Guest]

But get this, if he hadn't been moping around like a fucking idiot all season dreaming of his pal Benayoun then we might be playing CL football next season. Thanks Torres!

As has been said Fabregas didn't get the move he wanted, he still tried for Arsenal throughout.

+1

Plus Fabregas could have gone a couple of times in the past 2 seasons. Wenger talked him round, reminding Fabregas that he would find him and kill him if he left. Staring into the Frenchman's serial killers eyes is like looking into hell.

Talking of Barca, I'd like to see how they'd do against Stoke/etc.

I'm hopeful for the future yet tonight I fear that we will lose to Stoke. I'm going to put some money on it to ensure we win. £10 for a 3-1 loss.