Showing the cold-eyed instincts of a world-class goalscorer, Fernando Torres secured a dramatic 0:1 victory that gave Liverpool hope last night in their bid for a place in the Champions League next season.
In the third minute of stoppage time, El Nino notched his 50th Premier League goal for Liverpool with a composure entirely unrelated to the haphazard build-up.
His strike on a freezing night was born of chaos that included a slip by the Villa defender Richard Dunne and a pass by Yossi Benayoun that deflected off Gabriel Agbonlahor, but Torres lives in his own micro-climate of calm. The outcome was faintly unjust since Villa had been resilient while also posing a danger to Liverpool, but it is no accident when someone of the Spaniard’s abilities transforms a game.
Much will be made of the historic context of Torres’s 50th league goal for his team— a milestone he has reached in just 72 appearances, quicker than any player in the club’s illustrious history — but his progress towards that mark had become painful and anguished in recent weeks.
A groin injury, an ankle injury, a malaise hanging over his team — these are the factors that have clouded his and Liverpool’s season — but, as he wheeled away to celebrate with his team-mates in front of the visiting supporters in the Doug Ellis Stand, it seemed that the first pale, green shoots of recovery might be evident.
It is conceivable, too, that this goal may alter Liverpool’s campaign. The side now has consecutive League wins for the first time since September. Conversely, Villa have endured a second consecutive loss, following the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal. The table has not been transformed into a thrilling document, but Liverpool stand seventh, with both Villa and Manchester City a paltry two points ahead of them, although the latter have a game in hand.
Rafael Benítez’s complete faith that the club will qualify for the Champions League may be even more widely shared by Liverpool fans and the fear of such a recovery will seep into the minds of clubs who hope to usurp the Anfield side. This was a win, after all, that could so easily have eluded Liverpool on an occasion when achievement was hard to come by.
God, forget the Queen and please save Fernando Torres!
Here a list of Liverpool players and the number of appearances they had to make to score 50 goals:
80 Sam Raybould
80 Albert Stubbins
81 Roger Hunt
82 Jack Parkinson
83 John Aldridge
84 Ian Rush
88 Robbie Fowler
90 Gordon Hodgson
98 Harry Chambers
98 Kenny Dalglish
98 Michael Owen
104 Joe Hewitt
105 Ian St John
111 John Barnes
114 Robert Robinson
116 John Toshack
121 David Johnson
125 Dick Forshaw
125 Tom Miller
129 Jimmy Melia
139 Jack Balmer
160 Berry Niewenhuys
162 Alf Hanson
167 Billy Liddell
175 Kevin Keegan
208 Jack Cox
221 Terry McDermott
269 Ray Kennedy
271 Arthur Goddard
280 Alan A’Court
281 Steven Gerrard
Sources: timesonline.co.uk, theguardian.co.uk, vi.nl, elmundo.es
Amanda
Great post mate!Nando U Legend!
Hi Amanda. Well said. One thing I needed to add. Torres is not Liverpool’s penalty taker which makes his feat even more impressive. Happy New Year to you! ;-)