Time really does fly. It was only yesterday that Fernando Torres made all of us fall in love with the beautiful game. It was only yesterday that Torres also ripped all our hearts out and left for pastures new at Stamford Bridge.
But in reality all of that is in the past, and has been for over a decade. Fast forward to the present, Torres is now 40-years-old. He has been retired for years, and is actually coaching at Atletico Madrid’s U19 side.
A few years ago, he even faced Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League. Coming up against the likes of Jarell Quansah and Conor Bradley at the time. And now he is expected to return to Liverpool again to don the Reds’ colour in a friendly game for Liverpool Legends against Ajax this Saturday at Anfield.
Speaking ahead of the game, Torres revealed that there are three men at the club right now who he really looks up to, and who have done a brilliant job at Liverpool.
Fernando Torres on the three Liverpool coaches he loves
Speaking to LFCTV ahead of that game against Ajax, Torres spoke about his current role as a manager. In the interview he also revealed he looks up to the work of three coaches in particular at Liverpool. And that he read Pep Lijnders’ book Intensity and follows what goes on at the club very closely.
“Now that I’m trying to learn as a coach it’s really interesting to follow them,” Torres said.
“Jurgen Klopp, Pep Lijnders and Vitor Matos. What they are doing in the club is amazing. I love what they do. I read that book Intensity that Pep Lijnders wrote just to try to get more information about the daily and it’s nice to be in contact with all of them because I’m learning a lot.”
Hearing Fernando Torres’ insight on the game is really interesting. In the same interview he also revealed that he loves the heavy metal style played by Jurgen Klopp.
“This heavy metal football, I love that. The difficult thing is how do you train that? Hopefully, I can find out one day,” he said.
Could Torres return to Liverpool as a coach?
Given Torres’ affiliations to Liverpool, and the fact that his former Liverpool teammateXabi Alonso is being linked to succeed Jurgen Klopp, it does make you wonder.
Torres’ is clearly someone who holds Liverpool close to his heart. He understands and enjoys the heavy metal football that Klopp likes to play. Something Alonso has also embraced at Bayer Leverkusen.
Perhaps, based on what Torres has said, it would make sense to bring him back to Liverpool. The club could consider bringing him in as a member of Alonso’s coaching staff if he is appointed. At Liverpool in that position, Torres could hone his trade further, and get closer to understanding how high intensity football is played.
Like Alonso, Torres would be an appointment most Liverpool fans will get behind. Seeing him back at the club even in a coaching capacity would be really fascinating.
But for now, we are just excited to see Torres in a Liverpool shirt again this Sunday, linking up with Steven Gerrard. Just like in the good old days.