Liverpool legend missing from Anfield match could be set for huge role in club's future

Fernando Torres was the star attraction as he made a belated Liverpool Legends debut in Saturday’s 4-2 win over Ajax.

The Spaniard had originally been scheduled to play in the 2020 iteration of the annual charity match against Barcelona, only for it to be postponed because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Consequently, supporters have had to wait a further four years to see ‘El Nino’ make his Anfield return.

Pulling on the famous Reds jersey at Anfield for the first time in over 13 years, the 40-year-old marked the occasion in style as he gave the crowd what they came for by scoring the Legends’ fourth goal late on in front of the Kop. It wasn’t pretty, scrambling home Mark Gonzalez’s low cross from close-range, but neither player nor fanbase cared, seeing as it seemed that a goal would remain elusive for the striker after he missed chance after chance throughout the afternoon.

He would admit after the game that one point he feared such a goal would not come, before suggesting he would like to return to Anfield again in next year’s Legends match.

“I always have the hope to do it (score),” he said. ”These things take time, scoring for Liverpool is a big thing.

“I tried many times, I couldn’t do it. I did in the end and I was happy. I just wanted to score in my first Liverpool game after many years. I did it!

“It’s the first time I’ve been back since I finished football five years ago. I’m not fit, trust me. I’ll do my best to train every day and come again next season, and come back a little bit better.”

Of course, such a return will depend on Torres’ coaching commitments with the striker now enjoying his third season in charge of Atletico Madrid Under-19s.

“It’s the first time I can come because normally I am coaching and