How exactly do you go about substituting for Fernando Torres?

Few would dispute the fact that when fit, Fernando Torres is one of the best forwards in the world. Strength, pace, positional awareness and a keen eye for goal all wrapped up into one dashing package.


Liverpool have been in self-destruct mode this season and the last thing the club needed was the damning injuries their disastrous FA Cup replay last week evoked. Even the man himself applied pressure to the top by pointing out the gaping hole up front.

Inevitably, countless names have been bandied about with most media outlets concurring that a loan deal is the most likely outcome. So where can Liverpool go from this point?

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Making do

Although it has lessened in recent years, Liverpool under Rafa has established a reputation for shuffling players and fielding players outside their natural positions.

It is then plausible that given the financial strains on the club, Rafa may be forced to rely on less well known striking options if the club is to pull itself out of the current quagmire.

When Gerrard returns to fitness (ETA 30th Jan), Kuyt may fill a Torres role, with Gerrard playing off him, but this may force Rafa to place confidence on less reliable wing options. This then clears the way for David Ngog, Ryan Babel or even 19-year old Spaniard Daniel Pacheco to fill the void.

Ryan Babel is an option up front as we have seen on the international stage as well as with previous club Ajax, but his poor goalscoring record would undoubtedly deter Rafa, as well as the surrounding speculation over his future amidst his poor relations with the Dutch forward.

David Ngog has been steady so far this season, as evidenced by his 4 goals in 11 starts but it is unlikely that the inexperienced Frenchman could hold the line with real confidence. He is definitely a prospect but not the player Liverpool need to aid their recovery.

Daniel Pacheco is a 19-year old prospect who moved to Liverpool two seasons ago from the famed Barcelona Youth Academy. He has impressed for Liverpool’s reserves since his arrival and is often cited by Liverpool fans as one for future . While playing for Barcelona youth, Pacheco was well known for his goalscoring ability, playing as an attacking midfielder or striker.

He has featured only twice for Liverpool this season, as a substitute on both occasions. If the current situation worsens, we may see Pacheco travel with the main squad more often yet it is unlikely he will impact the starting XI.

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Buying in

There is great uncertainty surrounding Liverpool’s finances and the transfer budget the board are prepared to offer Rafa. Even the hardest of Liverpool fans would find it difficult to defend their manager’s transfer market savvy in recent windows. The disastrous Robbie Keane saga as well as the staggering fee paid to Roma for crocked midfielder Alberto Aquilani will undoubtedly have an impact on the finances made available to Benitez.

There are reports that Fernando Torres has spoken out and urged his manager to splash the cash on either David Villa or David Silva not only to substitute during his absence but help Liverpool recover their disastrous start to the Premier League.

Either of these two players would certainly be a major coup for Rafa but I seriously doubt there is much truth in this story. £35 million would be the minimum for either of these two players as their quality is undisputable, but this is money that Liverpool don’t have unless a major departure takes place.

One of the more ‘realistic’ names floating around is Trinidad&Tobago striker Kenwyne Jones, although the transfer fee touted by Sunderland is far from realistic at £12 million. A loan-deal makes little sense for Sunderland and Steve Bruce was quick to highlight this.

There are few Premier League clubs who haven’t been linked with Marouane Chamakh this season and so it was no surprise that after the extent of Torres’ injury became known, rumours of pre-contract deals surfaced. Chamakh has been heavily linked with Arsenal this season and given his contract runs out at the end of the season, many expected the Moroccan international to tie up a deal with the Gunners.

Various media outlets have claimed that Liverpool are set to hijack a deal and given their dire situation, are prepared to cough up a transfer fee in January as well as a signing on fee. The lofty striker had an inspirational season for Bordeaux last year, helping the French outfit topple the 7-year Lyon hegemony with 14 goals.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s past two seasons at Real Madrid have been plagued by injury although when he plays, he often scores. With his contract running out at the end of the season, many clubs have been linked with the enigmatic striker. Harry Redknapp seems confident in securing the services of the Dutch international although Liverpool are said to be interested in a loan-deal.

Ruud has been relatively injury-free this season yet has found himself on the fringes of the Real Madrid squad given the recent influx of signings, with both Raul and Higuain preferred up front. He wants as much top-flight football as possible, hoping to retain his place in the Dutch World Cup squad. In my opinion, Ruud would be the most realistic purchase yet whether Real Madrid are prepared to let him go and whether his desire to play for the Dutch national team is greater than his previous allegiance to Manchester United will prove stumbling blocks.

So how do you solve a problem like Fernando?

Liverpool supporters, how much do you think is available to spend and more importantly, who do you want to be leading the line during Torres’ absence?

Very nice andy, I need something to do in class haha so I'm going to spend my whole math class reading this

Firstly great post Andy, very professional Secondly there is no way you can replace a Fernando Torres. The man is irreplaceable. However for the time he is injured I would like to see Rafa make a move to try and get Klass Jan Huntelaar away from Milan. The Dutch striker has said he wants a move away from the San Siro so he has a better chance of making the Oranje squad this summer. I don't think we have the money to go outright and buy him, but he has said he desires a loan deal away from Milan. This is a perfect opportunity for Rafa to spend very little money on a very viable replacement for Fernando.

Plus Huntelaar is one of my favorite players. Ever since I saw him playing for Ajax it has been my wish to see him in a Liverpool kit. He is a great player, deadly inside the area and one of the best finishers in the game. Very creative footballing mind as well, he is known for scoring bicicletas and chipping the goal keeper. As much as Dirk Kuyt is undutch as a footballer could come, Klass is the opposite, reminiscent of Van Basten and as Dutch as they make 'em. It would be great to see him come permanently to Anfield one day, but for now I think a loan deal would better suits both parties. I think his style would fit in well to the premiere league, he is strong on the ball and has a good touch, and his mind works quickly, he doesn't lose the ball often.

So that's my vote Klass to come to Anfield and help us get into the top four

Very nice post andy. Very COmprehensive. =]

Babel !

I believe what liverpool should do now is to give players like babel chance to play.
He is a good player, but how do you fully wanna judge a player when he is not given constant opportunity to play for the club, the confidence is not there when you have less opportunity to play.

Aquilani !

As for aquilani, he is indeed very good, no regrets wif rafa's choice, is just that the roma dude has been out on the bench for so long,
And you see him playing very nervously when he is playing for liverpool, (try comparing him playing for roma and liverpool) so he is another player who should be playing more to gain he's confidence.

Kry ! & skrtel

Kry is doing fine, he tags up real well with skrtel. Maxi to me needs time to settle in, but he spreads the game play very nicely.

Overall

What lacks in liverpool squad is creative players. Some who can play fast touch game, tottenham plays good soccer, well with this new players, I hope their game play would change.

Overall I'm very pleased. This shows liverpool don't need to depend on torres so much now !

A REAL boost. YNWA ! Liverpool

I think getting hunter or Nistelrooy in loan are the best ideas. A guy who's gonna' take the role of Torres must have some of his attributes, Hunter and Ruud are the few players with this.
I prefer hunter to Rudd as Ruud is injury prone. If he gets injured after getting him will be a big head-ache so I go with Hunter!

What a nice article by Andy! Thanks to you....
I think it is very hard to replace Torres. David Villa is the only one who we can buy now (when we would have the money!). All the other goalgetters won't change their team to join Liverpool or they're so expensive that we even can't dream of them. But Huntelaar is a very talented one and I've seen some good videos about him. Taking him on loan would be a great deal for Liverpool and him because of his chances to get in the squad for WC 2010in summer.

What do you think about Amauri from Juventus? He was linked with the Premier League .... Do you see in him a good replacement for Torres?


Link: goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2010/01/21/17546...

I think Liverpool should have got Luca Toni on loan, but they failed. For now, here are my ideas:

Getting Huntelaar:
Already mentioned my many fellow footytubers. Having a miserable season at Milan right now and desperate to retain his Dutch world cup spot. And Milan is also ready to sell or loan him out. I am sure that he won't cost more than 12 Million. This guy is very good in air and most importantly has a very good first touch. Would fit into Liverpool.

Getting Jones:
Straight swap with babel will do the trick. Tall, physically strong and young as well. Definitely will serve as a good cover for injured El Nino.

Liverpool may also opt for Ruud on loan, but I think he is old and I am not sure whether he would do good. Or, if Liverpool's owners act stupid and don't give money.... Babel is the only remaining choice. Dirk kuyt for me, is no more a main striker. And.... N'gog and Pachecho are too young for the hard premier league. Babel has tons of potential, but lacking motivation, confidence and blah blah. If Rafa could manage to fix that guy, the Liverpool would have a gem of a striker!

Loose Babel and get Huntelaar.
I've seen Babel a lot, playing for Ajax, and always thought of him as beïng"so so". I never got it why Liverpool would have wanted him in the first place. He is good, okay, but he has an attitude that fits not with his skill. Ibrahimovic also has an attitude but has the skill to back it up, if you know what I mean. But Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a player who I like to see playing. He has great vision and skill and has the gut to prove that without beïng cocky about it. He's a very pure footballer and deserves a good team to play for. And I also would like to see play well in the WC this summer and get the Cup for the Netherlands.
Cheers,
Gijs

My only wish is for huntelaar to get enough playing time.... If liverpool gives him that.... That would be nice.... But what will happen once Torres is back? That's was my point from hunter's eyes....
From out liverpool.... Hunter is a deadly striker with incredible touch.... And is THE solution right now

Ps what about Suarez from fc ajax.... He doesn't want to leave ajax yet but he's ready for a greater league.... Eredivisie is not a challende anymore for him

I like Jones.... Tall, fast, and physical. When Torres is back, the two would fit together perfectly playing ahead of Gerrard, and inside of Kuyt (one of the best signings Pool has ever made)

I hope livpl follow Barca and Aresenal in getting players that are creative.... Far more fun to watch, and far more adaptable to diverse tactics in the champions league (hopefully)

What a great read. Thanks for this, Andy. I'd be fine letting players that are strikers by nature (Kuyt, Babel, nGog) fill the role. Of course, they are no way as good as Torres, but they are quality players that can rise to the occasion when fired up and hungry to score. Look at Kuyt against Spurs recently. He could have had five goals on a good day. Missed some sitters, scored two

Torres is irreplacable, and when he is injured liverpool are in trouble for scoring goals.... Liverpool are in debt so they cannot afford to buy many players, so may be they should play with babel, ngog, I think they should have put in a bid to huntelaar on loan, he would have been great along with his international team mate kuyt.... If babel and ngog do not work upront change in the tactics would be great by benitez.... Liverpool should look for more of creative players and plyers from their academy who are really talented and develop them.... They should go for the best young talents, not just sign the first best one.... I reaaly hope liverpool btreak in the top four and I am pretty much confident that they wiil be able to do s beacause benitea seems to be trying new things which are working good for liverpool...

Lets face it the owners will definitely not be coughing up bags of money to buy david villa outright.... I like the idea of huntelaar on loan, its a very real possibility. I don't see Ruud coming to Anfield especially considering Redknapp is after him and tottenham have a very strong side...

First off, great post. But yes, Fernando is very difficult to replace, as he is top class and arguably one of the best, if not the best, striker in the world at this moment (Picked in the World XI). So replacing him is unlikely. But there are many that could fill his position to aid the team in their climb to the top four. David would be the fantasy choice, but again, not realistic. First, the Reds are strapped for cash (so they say) and 2nd, David Villa and Valencia are in top form at the moment, letting go their best player (though collectivelly are doing very well, Silva, Mata, Pablo, Banega, etc.) does not seem logical and possible, espcially at this crucial time for Valencia. Though they're a a club that is definitely in financial troubles, selling their top asset would seem practical, but if they can continue to secure Champions league as they are currently doing (3rd place in La Liga), I don't see them letting go David Villa anytime soon.... Unless something spectacular is discussed. Wishful thinking really. Lol. David Silva, same argument.

Kenwyne Jones: would seem practical and uncostly, but look at where Sunderland is and his form. They are best keeping him there. His goal-scoring is not very appealing either during this season and what Liverpool needs are players who can provide goals (especially this debate is regarding Torres' temporary replacement). Kenwyne Jones would not be ideal, in my opinion.

Ruud Van Nistelroy: not a practical choice either. Very injury-prone. Not very wise to replace a player that is increasingly becoming an injury prone player, with one that already is highly known as an injury-prone player. What happens when Ruud gets injured as he deputises for Torres? Replacing an issue with another issue, not a cycle that Liverpool can afford, especially in these circumstances.

Either Chamakh or Huntelaar would do any justice, with regards to holding the fort while Fernando recuperates. As both have proven that they can lead the front line, by scoring goals regularly. Especially Chamakh, significantly aiding Bordeaux to their run as France's #1 club with his many goals, etc. And Huntelaar has proven he can score, wherever he goes (Ajax, and his short spells with Real and Milan, he's still managed to provide goals in these small periods of time/appearances). Any of these two players would be a beneficial pick-up for the Reds. A loan for Huntelaar seems more realistic, as he will come at a probable and hefty price-tag. Chamakh would probably come at a lesser cost, so the the transfer of this player would be good also. And the great thing is, both could potentially be a good duo with Torres, when he does come back.... Let's hope it doesn't turn out like the last one. *.... Keanster*. Lol