Sad side of Torres deal

Jul 4 2007 Red Watch by Andy Proudfoot, Liverpool Daily Post

THE protracted, but nevertheless welcome arrival of Fernando Torres is tinged with sadness at the reciprocal departure of Luis Garcia.

The mercurial Spaniard’s sins and virtues have been well documented in this and many other columns, and the groans of frustration at yet another misplaced pass will probably be the signature tune of his time at Anfield.

Yet without his ability to pick out an unanticipated through ball, and to score priceless goals when it really mattered, the last few seasons would have been much the poorer.

One goal in every four games is not a bad record for someone who was never an out-and-out forward, and if it weren’t for his interventions, Istanbul might never have happened, and ‘The Gerrard Final’ might not have passed into folklore.

To call him five foot seven of football heaven might be an exaggeration, but now that someone has taken our Luis away, he deserves our thanks and all the sangria he can drink.