Why Liverpool fans should finally forgive Fernando Torres 19 years on from his signing

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9 was named at number 44 in Liverpool’s ongoing list of the 100 greatest players in the club’s history, there was significant pushback from fans.The reasons are understandable, but, as Torres explained in an interview with Liverpool in 2019, he does feel sad about the way he left the club.“One of the regrets I have is the way I left the club,” he said. I’m really happy that every time I go anywhere in the world, I see Liverpool fans and they come to me and thank me for my time here.

I’m really proud to say I will support Liverpool forever, it doesn’t matter what happened.”Photo by Clive Rose/Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Thiago confirms why he will not be joining Liverpool as a coach this summerMany Liverpool fans see things differently, but as he has outlined many times, his exit had nothing to do with the supporters, and everything to do with what he felt were broken promises from the Reds ownership at the time.To some, that should not matter. Chelsea were one of Liverpool’s absolute biggest rivals during Torres’ time with the club, and to go there was to burn all bridges with the Reds.He clearly does not see it that way, though, and while his move was inadvisable, the love and regard he holds Liverpool and the fans in is absolutely clear.“I’m really grateful to Liverpool and hopefully in a few years my kids will realise how important the city is for me,” he said.

It will be really nice to bring him to his city to watch a Liverpool game; I will do it very soon.”Could Torres return one day?Incredibly, Saturday marks 19 years since Torres arrived at Liverpool, and as fans look back on July 4th 2007, they should feel no anger or disappointment. 9 to return as a coach?Jurgen Klopp invited Torres to the Liverpool academy to learn the day-to-day workings in 2024, and with the Reds potentially looking to add a former player to Andoni Iraola’s coaching staff, who better than Torres, who could really begin to repair his relationship with the fans.The 42-year-old may have his eye on a top role instead of coming in as an assistant, but there is a potential vacancy there, and learning under Iraola back at Anfield would be a big step forward in his development.Should he come back, it would be fascinating to see the reaction from Liverpool supporters.