Misfiring Torres can pick up against old employers Liverpool

To say Fernando Torres’ Chelsea career has been stop-start would be a massive understatement, but a home fixture against his former club Liverpool could be just what the Spaniard needs to kick-start his revival into the player he once was.

Torres will be desperate to ram the inevitable abuse he will receive back down the Liverpool fan’s throats, and is priced at 5/1 to hit the first goal, and the same price to notch last in the match, and those markets are definitely worth some interest.

For more cautious punters, the 6/4 for Torres to score at any time is still an appealing price, and, always posing a goal threat, you are likely to get a good run for your money for the full 90 minutes.

Keeping in mind that Liverpool shipped four goals in their toughest away fixture to date this season at Tottenham, it could even pay off to bet on both markets.

This season, Torres remains unable as of yet to produce the sort of imperious form that caused defenders to see him as one of the most feared front men in world football a short time ago.

However, the arrival of Spanish teammate Juan Mata, and the adaptation to a refined Chelsea formation under Andre Villas-Boas’ instruction, has allowed Torres to look far more comfortable this term in a more fluid and attractive attacking system, as opposed to the ruthless, mechanical structure he struggled to adjust to under Carlo Ancelotti.

The most frustrating aspect of Torres’ efforts this season has perhaps been the fact that when he seemingly takes a step forward, he almost immediately suffers a setback.

After a terrific display that seemed to signal he was on his way back to his brilliant best at Old Trafford, he followed up a well-taken goal by inexplicably firing wide of an open goal from six yards out, before again netting in Chelsea’s next match, and being dismissed shortly after for a two-footed challenge.

‘El Nino’ will be eager to get back on the domestic goal trail here.