“He couldn’t miss!” is Jamie Carragher’s assessment of his assist for Fernando Torres’ first goal against Blackburn Rovers in April 2009.
Liverpool’s second-highest appearance-maker of all time might be stretching the truth a little there. Regardless, the history books show it to be one of his 19 assists for the Reds.
The fact Carragher even supplied the ball over the top for the goalscorer might be news to some. Because the goal is all about the skill and brilliance of Torres.
Five minutes in, the Spaniard brought down his teammate’s ‘delivery’ with his chest at a wide angle to the right of the penalty area, before twisting to smash the ball into the far corner from the almost impossible position.
It was the first of his double on the day, as Rafael Benitez’s side won 4-0 to maintain their Premier League title duel with Manchester United.
Naturally, Torres’ opener drew comparisons with Marco van Basten’s volley in the final of the 1988 European Championship, although the Liverpool No.9 was slightly embarrassed by that suggestion afterwards.
“I don’t know if the first one is the best I have scored,” he said. “Maybe it is one of the best. I don’t think it was like Van Basten. He was one of the best players in the history of the game.”
It certainly wasn’t bad, though.
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