Torres, Carroll, Suarez, and Transfer Turmoil in Liverpool

Article first published as Torres, Carroll, Suarez and Transfer Turmoil in Liverpool on Technorati.

Torres Becomes Enemy, Carroll Feels Displaced, Suarez just wants to Score Goals.

by Rhydon Atzenhoffer
February 1, 2011

Torres a New Blue. Courtesy FernandoTorres.com

It is Tuesday, and after a wild and bewildering last day of the transfer window it is time to let the dust settle and see where the chips will fall. Merseyside and the Liverpool fans, like myself, are having a hard time realizing exactly what all has transpired for the Reds after yesterday. Fernando Torres, "El Nino," "Liverpool's No.9," and a Kop hero for the club has become a traitorous wretch to fans whom burned his jersey and pictures in effigy yesterday. The Spaniard's departure from Liverpool to Chelsea after what seemed like months of just sulking about has lost him the majority of respect he had earned in his tenure at the Club.

PA Images

Following his proclamations of continued loyalty to the club (Liverpool) and fans just as recently as the opening of the January Window, and a sudden return to form under Kenny Dalglish, his quick departure to London has left so many reeling. Might it not have been Roy Hodgson causing his problems at all but his own want-away mentality. With the comments he has made, since his £50 Millon Pound move to Chelsea, such as, "I felt from last summer that I needed to do a step forward in my career and for my ambition as a footballer," "I am joining a team that is at the top level. There is not another level after Chelsea."“I’ve always wanted to play for one of the top clubs in Europe and now I am.” Interesting comment for a team that has never lifted a Champions League Trophy.

Chelsea may be a success in the current generation but those comments seem rather hollow in comparison. Chelsea, with respect, while they have been pushed to prominence under Roman Abromovich the London club has hardly the mystique that these comments may wish to deliver. The Blues have won 4 topflight titles, three of them from 2004-2010, and no Champions League titles. His former club have 18 League Titles and 5 Champions League Titles. Liverpool also raises above the other in FA Cups, League Cups, UEFA Titles, Charity Shields and UEFA Super Cups. Chelsea may be on a high this decade, but the history of his former club speaks for itself as another level. Having said that, you can see why so many fans can be angered by their former Hero's comments.

Carroll and King Kenny. LFC.tv

Following the departure of Nando, enter the new attacking partnership of Liverpool's Future. Andrew Carroll and Luis Suarez, whom have the fans and fellow players excited, respectful, and supportive of their talents. Andy Carroll arrived in a deadline day deal as Torres was on his way out, and will take over the No. 9 shirt that was made so famous most recently by Robbie Fowler. The Geordie and Newcastle Born Hometown Hero will seem to many on the Toon as the same level of Anti-Hero as Torres now does to Liverpool. Controversy has been swirling around his move to Anfield, nearly as much as Torres's move to Stamford Bridge, with Carroll making comments that he was forced out, and Newcastle Manager Alan Pardew claiming he demanded a new contract or else.

Regardless of this talk, Newcastle looks to have been more interested in the money as they took it and ran without even replacing Carroll. However, Carroll is now a Liverpool Red, and I am sure he will do his best for the club. His £35 Million move makes him the second highest transfer in English History behind his successor, Fernando Torres' move to Chelsea. The past 18 months saw him rocket to Hero status for Newcastle as he led the line for their Championship Title and Promotion back to the Premiership, and his 11 goals in 19 games this season has been the reason that the Magpies have been siting in the middle of the table all season and not in a relegation battle as expected by everyone. If his strike rate continues he will be worth even more in the long run as he is only 22.

Suarez all smiles. LFC.tv

Arriving prior to Carroll was Liverpool's primary target of the window, Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan striker's £23 Million move from Ajax was thought to be Liverpool's big act of intent, but the departure of Torres and the arrival of Carroll on the final day has overshadowed the skilled South American's arrival at Anfield. His first video's as a Liverpool player surfaced on LFC.tv yesterday and it was announced that he would wear the No. 7 jersey. The same worn by his new manager Kenny Dalglish.

Kenny had nothing but positive comments in his interview regarding Suarez saying that, (in regards to talent) "he scores goals, hes quick, hes intelligent. Got a great education from Ajax, so we look forward to working with him and seeing him."

When Kenny was asked about how he felt having Suarez wear the No. 7 which Dalglish himself had made famous he responded with this, "I never made it famous, Kevin (Keegan) made it famous." And in regards to his quality to merit the shirt, "Certainly he is a better player than Kevin and me."

The humbleness and respect of Dalglish for his Club is something that has been lacking of many a manager in the EPL recently and his attitude towards his players looks to be having the desired effect as he has them into the top half since his re-appointment.

Suarez has penned a five and a half year contract until 2016 with the Reds worth a reported £120,000-a-week, and he looks to make his debut against Stoke City on Tuesday.