The Heartbreak Kid

Fernando Torres has left Liverpool Football Club. If you had said a month ago that Torres would not be a Liverpool player come February 1st most people would have laughed. After all, why should we believe such a statement? A statement about a player who had on numerous occasions declared his love for the city, the club and it's supporters, a player who had declared his commitment to the cause, and who would do so once again in January.

That commitment, the words used, all are very hollow now, hollow and meaningless.

The question on the lips of every Liverpool supporter is why? Why has he done this now, why did he declare his loyalty, why did he disrespect the club and the fans, why Chelsea?

His timing is poor, his choice of club poorer.

Fernando Torres wants to win trophies, all players do.

We all knew he wanted to leave, he hadn't quite said it, but we knew, and to be honest, none of us blamed him. The club is not the club he joined, fresh from a second Champions League Final in 3 years, the club that had such high hopes, the club that, with his help took the title race to the wire in 2009 - and since then it has been a rapid fall from the top. He has been away and conquered Europe and the World with Spain, he has seen the trophy cabinets of his countrymen expand year by year - he left Atletico for glory which he could not get and now he has done the same to Liverpool.

It could all have been so different though.

Had he handed in his request at the start of the month it would almost certainly be down to Roy Hodgson, there would have been ill feeling towards the request but the failing Liverpool manager would have taken the flak and Torres may have left Anfield with a bit more dignity. Although, following on from the appointment of Kenny Dalglish - could that have been the decision that could have persuaded him to stay? Who knows, but given how things actually turned out, i would have to say no.

I think it is something of an insult to Kenny himself that Torres did what he did, under Roy Hodgson, Torres was a shadow of himself, under performing, taking criticism left right and centre. Under Dalglish he looked like a totally different player, he had his belief and confidence back, he was getting back to his best and that was all down to Kenny Dalglish, the team entering February is miles different from the team that started January, and not much has changed, 3 players out, 2 players in.

Handing in the transfer request was an insult to Kenny Dalglish and the faith and support he had given Fernando.

Handing in the transfer request was an insult to his team mates who had always stood by an supported him.

Handing in the transfer request was an insult to every Liverpool supporter young and old across the world.

He has moved to Chelsea in search of glory.

He has swapped the passion, desire and support of the Kop for the Shed.

Flags and banners made with pride, scarves held high in support of the team, he has given this up for plastic flags and throw away scarves left on seats to try and drum up an atmosphere in a stadium that has none.

He has left a team building for the future to join a team whose star players will soon be retired to the studio.
Had he waited til the summer and still wanted to go, he could have had his pick of any club in Europe, had he kept his to his word an not signed for another English team he would have left Anfield with his head high, with the good wishes of the supporters and a thank you from everyone, he would have been remembered fondly, celebrated upon his return, it would not have been an easy loss but it would have been an acceptable one.

But Fernando Torres has left in disgrace, his reputation in tatters. He will not receive a fond welcome upon his return to Anfield, and i think, when he does return, and feels the full fury of the Liverpool faithful it will hurt him inside, he will step out onto the pitch with memories of good times stirring in his mind, those memories may even bring a smile to his face for years to come, but there will be no heroes welcome.

He will realise his mistake in time, his first interview for his new club was dull and uneventful, he looked like a lost child - or a man who was beginning to realise exactly what he had done.

There where no fond words for the club he left or the supporters who had adored him from day one. He said he did not want to talk about Liverpool and would never say anything bad about us. But in his haste to impress his new audience he declared that he had always wanted to play for a top club and is happy that he can do that now, he stated that after Chelsea there is nothing higher, and it was 'like destiny' for him to score against us on Sunday - all words which will have cut deep into the Liverpool supporters, the club and his former team mates.

It is true though Fernando, there is nothing higher for you than Chelsea, the reason??

The way back up to Liverpool is now permanently shut to you.

Chelsea are going backwards and we are likely to pass them on our way up. They are by no means guaranteed a Champions League place next season, and with a few wins under our belts then we can put ourselves in a great position to challenge Chelsea for fourth spot. Fernando will be well used to fighting for fourth by now and with the way Chelsea are going - he will need to be.

What Fernando Torres did for Liverpool will never be forgotten, years down the line when the dust has settled, the goals he scored may actually be enjoyed, never as they once where but they will bring up happy memories, and i don't think we can ever really forget the way he terrorised Vidic, like i said, in the long run what he did for us wont be forgotten.

But what he did to us will always overshadow everything he ever did for us.

After years of lies and deceit at the hands of two American cowboys Fernando took it upon him self to tell some more lies to the Liverpool supporters - he told us he was committed, that he would not leave and that we should get behind him and the team - Nando you should really have known better.

On the whole he will forever be remembered for the wrong reasons.

The flame of a potential Liverpool legend burned out on Monday night and there is no going back.