THE travelling Kop will be given the latest sighting of what might have been tomorrow.
When Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres step out at Stamford Bridge, it will be in opposition as Liverpool renew hostilities with bitter rivals Chelsea.
But had matters gone to plan, they would both be decked in red.
Suarez had been pursued by Liverpool in January 2011 as a foil for Torres and to help ease the goalscoring burden on the striker.
The Spaniard, of course, had other ideas, and as Suarez was completing the formalities of his move from Ajax, so Torres was negotiating his way through the exit and heading down south in a £50million deal.
Torres may have claimed the subsequent silverware – a Champions League medal and an FA Cup medal as an unused substitute in Chelsea’s win over his former club in May – but, in terms of performances, Suarez has proven far more productive.
The Uruguayan is in the most impressive form of his Liverpool career, epitomised by the magnificent strike that earned Brendan Rodgers’ side a point against Newcastle United last Sunday.
It was his 10th goal of the season – a tally it took until February to reach last season – eclipsing Torres’s total of seven.
And Rodgers is in no doubt which club has profited most from that striker merry-go-round.
“Looking at it from the outside, Fernando Torres did a terrific job here at Liverpool,” says Rodgers. “Certainly in those first 18 months he was fantastic.
“He decided to move on, and Liverpool got in a world class striker who has been absolutely breathtaking, particularly this season.
“Luis’s play and contribution for us has been fantastic. Fernando left and good luck to him.
“I can only really comment on the short time I’ve been in here working with Luis Suarez. I’m blessed to work at a great club with great players and he is one of those.
“Absolutely, Liverpool have done terrific out of the deal, and they have a top player here.”
Despite improved fortunes this season after a difficult first 18 months at Chelsea, Torres has appeared disillusioned in recent weeks, although he netted in the midweek Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
And former colleague Martin Skrtel, who will be charged with keeping Torres at bay tomorrow, admits Liverpool must remain on their guard – despite the Spaniard being on the losing side of all four games against his former club since leaving.
“It's going to be special but we have to look after him because even if he isn't scoring goals at the moment he is still one of the best strikers in the world and still dangerous,” says Skrtel.
“We have to keep our eye on him for 90 minutes and not let him score.
“I haven't seen Chelsea play too many times this season but from what I've heard his performances are better than last season.
“It's going to be hard playing against him but I believe in my qualities and the quality of our team and I believe we won't let him score.”
