Related Quotes
"The Fernando Torres transfer was interesting. He is a good player. We would not have been interested in him if he wasn't. For years we tried to do a deal with him but we never quite managed it, either because Atlético did not want to sell or the player felt he was too young. We just lost interest after a while because you can get fed up of going back to the same venue all the time.
We didn't pursue our interest this summer and if he's gone for £20 million or so then that is a fair price for him - but he was on huge money in Madrid. I think also the fact that Rafael Benitez is Spanish may have helped Liverpool conclude the deal."
Alex Ferguson on Liverpool's record signing Torres
"As a Spanish Atletico fan living in Madrid, I would like to tell Liverpool fans how sorry we are to be losing Fernando Torres. People here always said that the Premiership was a perfect competition for Torres. He is strong, tall, very fast and very talented. Torres is not a classic "in box" striker and this season scored 14 goals, despite being played as a winger. He only played the last four matches as a forward, and scored four goals in those matches. For five consecutive years, he has been the clear top scorer of the team. And all this in a team which plays dreadful football. Torres improved a lot this year in one-on-ones with the goalkeeper and also improved in terms of ball control. He can score goals from wherever he wants, his first touch is fantastic and and he is a good header of the ball. In my opinion, he is one of the best strikers in Europe, but plays in a team that don't play attacking football. A fee of £26.5m is not expensive for what he is." - Javier Lopez, Madrid
A letter from an Atletico fan to Liverpool Echo regarding Torres' move to Liverpool
"The manager and many of the technical staff speak my language. It makes it much easier to adapt. At my club I couldn't achieve my aspirations and I thought Liverpool's offer would give me the most at this stage in my career. Also, there's the relationship between the fans and the club - the social background of Liverpool's fans, from a hard-working city supporting a hard-working club, this is very important to me."
Fernando Torres has already won the Liverpool fans over with this confession
"Torres is the nearest thing I have ever seen to Roger Hunt. When Roger was around, if there was a chance inside the 18 yard box then the ball was in the back of the net - there was no question about that.
He got into positions that no-one else would ever dream of getting into and that's the same with Torres. You don't think he has any chance of doing anything because he has two men around him, but then he drops his shoulder, does a nutmeg and the ball is in the net. That's exactly what Roger used to do and he was a World Cup winner.
Tommy Smith compares Fernando Torres to Roger Hunt in June 2008
I don't think people realise how hard it was for Fernando at Atletico Madrid. He was captain of them when he was 18 - just one-and-a-half years after he had been a professional. There was so much pressure on him and he was only a kid. Since moving here, all that pressure has gone away. He couldn't even walk down the street when he was in Madrid. Being in Liverpool was like a release for him and I think he has been unbelievable since he came here. He settled in so quickly, he scored a lot of goals and everyone is really happy with him. He's got a great character. But if we leave him like we did at Goodison? We know what is going to happen...
Mikel Arteta speaks of his admiration for Fernando Torres in January 2009
"Torres is probably a lot quicker than I was, but when I played I used to play with two wingers. I was more of an inside forward before I became an out and out striker, like Torres is now. What I've noticed about Torres is that he is also very good at bringing other players into the game and he is a very intelligent player."
Goalscoring great, Roger Hunt, on Liverpool's latest striking sensation, Fernando Torres
The sale of Arbeloa, Hyypia and Alonso was an important loss. Alvaro was a player who did a vital job for us, always played to a high level and his flexibility was a huge bonus. Sami may not have played every week but he was a 10 out of 10 on and off the pitch, bringing calm to the ground and having everyone's admiration. And Xabi … players like Xabi are very rare. He was the team's engine and you know that when you change an engine, it takes time to work again.
Torres on Liverpool's downfall in the 2009-2010 season