Has setback proved a blessing in disguise for Liverpool?

Whilst watching the World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain many Liverpool fans would have winced at first when they see their star man Fernando Torres pull up injured, but that was probably followed by a huge sigh of relief as many believe as it is likely to end Chelsea’s interest in the forward.

Surely the injury is a blessing in disguise then?

In terms of keeping Torres at Anfield it almost certainly is and the fans will hope to see their prolific number nine banging in the goals for them once again when he eventually returns from his groin injury, which could keep him out for the first two months of the Premier League season.

The likelihood of the Spaniard staying on Merseyside will give the Reds’ fans a further boost as it also seems that Real Madrid have ended their interest in Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard, who they probably rightly argue that £30 million is too high an asking price for a 30-year-old player.

Before his injury many in the press speculated over a possible move by Chelsea to acquire the services of Torres and it has been a fairly long running transfer story fuelled early on by Carlo Ancelotti and Didier Drogba who both spoke publicly about their admiration for the player.

It was also rumoured that Roman Abramovich went to personally to try and finalise a deal for Torres for a price between £50-70 million. He was officially there about the Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid, but that didn’t seem to stop certain quarters of the press putting two and two together and making five.

It seems as though Torres’ future remains at Anfield as it is highly unlikely that the west London club would be willing to part with an astronomical sum for a player whose fitness is questionable and nor should they.

One the other hand, it isn’t exactly all rosy for Liverpool either. Yes, they stand a much greater chance of keeping their talismanic striker but the situation like many does of course have a downside.

Many view that Torres is fast becoming something of a sicknote and would argue that Liverpool may have been better off cashing in on the player, whose value did not diminish despite a fairly disappointing showing during the World Cup for Spain. Also, the transfer funds they would have gained from a sale could have been used (if the American owners would permit it) to make much needed additions to a failing squad.

Now with no money the new manager Roy Hodgson faces a headache as his star striker is out he will have to get someone to fill the role in the opening months of the season. Although recently signed Jovanovic maybe able to take some of the weight of reponsibility, providing he can adapt to the Premier League straight away, Liverpool are desperately short upfront and with only David Ngog in reserve Hodgson will hope that the loss of Torres won't see the Reds lose early ground on against the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham, Aston Villa and maybe even Everton.

There is some hope for Hogdson’s men though as it seems Javier Mascherano is certain to leave the club and likely to command a decent transfer fee. The Liverpool fans will hope that their new manager will have an eye for a bargain like he did during his Fulham days as he will have to replace Mascherano and probably buy in another striker with the limited funds he has at his disposal.

For now the Liverpool fans won’t care too much about that, they will just be content that they stand a far greater chance of keeping their goal scoring hero in the place where his heart is.

Do the fans think Torres’ injury a blessing in disguise?

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