Like any fan of football/soccer the January transfer window is greatly feared and very much so exciting. We all fear that our favourite player is going to be sold or request a transfer to a new club. We are also excited for the fresh talents that will come to our clubs. Today was an emotional roller coaster for every Liverpool FC fan because of this. The day started out with Chelsea making a bid for £35 million for Fernando Torres. The club immediately shut this down saying ‘Torres is not for sale’. This was a breath of fresh air for every fan. They thought a nightmare had been avoided. Then the fantastic news that LFC had up-ed their bid for Luis Suarez and Ajax had accepted and talks with the player began. This again was great news for every Koppite. They had finally gotten a world class striker to partner with Torres up front. The rumours that Fernando wanted to leave continued throughout the day, but fans were too elated to can and just brushed them off as silly rumours. After all, not two weeks ago Torres stated that he was going to finish his contract with Liverpool FC and he was loyal to the club and fans. However, LFC later confirmed the news that Fernando Torres had put in a transfer request. When I saw this I immediately wanted to see what everyone else was saying about this. Being a lifelong fan of Liverpool, I personally felt gutted and went through a vast amount of emotions in a matter of minutes. The fan comments are about as diverse as my feelings.
The majority of comments were pure hurt and disappointment. Many fans stayed loyal to him and felt betrayed by this news:
“Fernando… you are not serious… haven’t believed a word of this all day. Guess it was true. What happened to him? Absolutely devastated.” Jellies
“This hurts, I think my heart is broken I was lucky enough to meet him when I was in Liverpool it was the happiest day of my life. I never thought that a day were we break our transfer record is a depressing day” Aidan91
“You have let us down Fernando. Well done for ruining a great day for all LFC fans…” WeNYaN
“TORRES YOU SAID “YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE” HOW COULD YOU DO THIS… HOW CAN WE PROGRESS WITHOUT YOU!!!” LFChampion
“Seriously Nando? Now? And to Chelsea?! This really hurts. Just a few weeks ago you said you always commit to your contracts? I feel betrayed. Lies all along I guess… :-( I can’t bear to see him in a blue shirt” jzkg123
Many supporters turned their hurt into anger at Torres for his disloyalty to the club:
“Come on Fernando honour your contract and us fans, we adore you more than any other club could ever, you want world class, well Suarez is world class, think of the way you, Gerrard and Suarez can play 2gether, wait till at least summer, if your still not happy then leave but not now, not 2 Chelsea either, if you really love LFC you wouldn’t move 2 Chelsea or united!!!!!!” craigtyper
“Rage is setting in. Absolutely SHOCKIN!!!! I can’t understand it. It must be another Rooney like move, agents no doubt behind it. This will be tough to accept and forgive” yzee “so much for “honoring” your contract “squatman
Others questioned his motives or reasons for the transfer request:
“Could have waited until the summer, bad timing on his part. A) Just signed decent support for him, B) New manager, C) New owners. His best time here is to come, but see ya!” Brutality
“Why Nando why? We don’t deserve this. But there ain’t anyone bigger than the club.” releaze
I even found one brave commenter who is sticking by Torres though everything:
“Can’t believe how quickly some of you are turning on Torres, he is an absolute legend and a quality player.. would be gutting to see him go!” woodylfc94
There were also some who made harsh, but comical comments about Chelsea:
“hope Abromavich goes bankrupt” updareds9
“Hope John Terry enjoys your wife!!!!” boyle85
The most painful comments to read were the ones reminiscing about happier days with Torres:
“‘Again he proved he was a red Torres, Torres He put the transfer talks to bed Torres, Torres He told King Kenny where he stands, He loves the club and he loves the fans Fernando Torres Liverpool’s number 9.’ ;(” Sabia1
“Thanks for the memories Fernando…” kura2008
“What have you done with your armband, Fernando?” Offense
Through all these variety of comments there was a common theme: no one player is bigger than Liverpool. Although this news is gutting to many fans, including myself, we need to remember that Liverpool has a great history and great fans that are loyal beyond belief. It will be hard even if he is to stay at Liverpool because he has taken the thing that fan cherish most in a Red, loyalty to the club. But Fernando has not left yet, and we need to support him while he is still wearing our badge. Even after, we need to wish him luck in the future. If he does leave, don’t give up on the club. We need to keep in mind that Liverpool was Liverpool long before Fernando Torres and it will still be Liverpool long after he is gone. We have a fantastic new striker who will hopefully help us out, and we will always prevail through the hard times. Just listen to the lyrics of You’ll Never Walk Alone. ‘Walk on through wind Walk on through the rain And YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE’.