It was an emotional day for Fernando Torres as he donned a Liverpool shirt at Anfield once again.
Having exited the club under a cloud back in 2011, Torres has since expressed his regret at having left in the manner he did.
As a result, it was extra special to the see the 40-year-old line up alongside Steven Gerrard and the rest of the Liverpool legends this afternoon.
Torres even got himself a goal and celebrated accordingly in front of the Kop. And after the game, El Nino was asked whether he’d be keen to return once more – but in a different capacity.
Fernando Torres makes Liverpool manager claim
During the post-match press conference alongside Sven Goran Eriksson, Torres admitted that it was the first game he’d played since his retirement five years ago.
The Spaniard did promise that he would work hard to build his match fitness though, and return again next time around. Torres was then asked if he had any designs on coming back in another role, as Liverpool manager.
“This is a big thing, I am just starting, learning and understanding how different it is to be a coach – it’s a completely different thing,” replied the World Cup winner.
“Starting from zero, doing the right step – one at a time – I’m trying to be a coach, let’s see if I can do it. But coaching for Liverpool is a different thing, step-by-step.”
What is Fernando Torres doing now
Obviously, Torres is a long, long way from being considered for the Liverpool job. As a self-confessed fan of Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing style, he may be a coach to watch out for, but he’s just getting started nonetheless.
As former teammate Xabi Alonso’s rapid rise from youth team football has shown however, big steps can be made quickly in management. This time two years ago, Alonso wasn’t far off the level Torres is at now, for example.
Back home with Atletico Madrid, Torres has been in charge of Atleti’s U19s side since 2021. If he can be given an opportunity in men’s football the near future – and do well – then who knows what the future holds.
For now, it was just great to see him back at Anfield and back finding the net. Until the next time, El Nino.