Joy for Roy as Torres rediscovers scoring touch
He looked short on confidence and conviction. Yet, in an instant the old swagger was back.
Pepe Reina saved well from Gonzalo Jara and Liverpool quickly exploited the left-hand side where the Chilean right back would normally have been.
Dirk Kuyt exchanged passes with Torres and then swung over a cross that was met by a right-foot volley from the Spaniard.
It might not have been executed perfectly, but it was perfectly placed, squeezing through the legs of Olsson into the corner past the despairing dive of Scott Carson.
Suddenly, Torres looked a different player. A second almost swiftly followed as Steven Gerrard found space down the left and his cross to the back post was inviting for Torres.
But Carson, the former Reds keeper, spread himself to block brilliantly from close range. These two moments highlighted yet again how much Liverpool need their prolific marksman in the side and not on the sidelines.
“In the Premier League most teams have got good players and are well organised and can cause problems for their opponents,” said Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.
“Often the difference is a piece of magic that breaks the deadlock and changes the rhythm of the game and the status of the game.
“People like Torres and Gerrard can do things not all players can do. That goal will be great for his confidence and will help him.”
Torres has struggled for fitness and form since knee trouble ended his campaign in April.
But his winner yesterday – his 41st goal in 43 league games – ended a 10-match drought for club and country and his manager Roy Hodgson could not have been more relieved.
He predicted Torres will hit the heights once again, although he would welcome a favour from the Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.
Torres is in the squad for the forthcoming games against Liechtenstein and Argentina, but Hodgson said: “He needs more training and he needs more matches and you won’t see the best of him until further along the line. We’re hoping Spain will pass up on his services and give him a chance to continue his recovery. We can only ask the question, propose that this is the best option for the player but we don’t have the right to pull him out.”
Hodgson also feels Liverpool and Spain will only benefit in the long term as Torres tries to put an end to injuries that have blighted his career.
The Reds manager said: “Being careful is an absolute necessity, but if we can keep on this fitness programme, keep monitoring the knee, he’ll get stronger and fitter for every game and then it’s just match practice he needs.
“The more work our sports science people can do with him, to build him up, give him that strength, give him basically that good pre-season that all players need, the better it will be for his long-term future.
“If we’re unable to do that because he’s asked to play so many matches in this early part of the season it’s going to effect us negatively.”
A fit Torres is what Liverpool need, but a first league win of the campaign only papered over the cracks that still exist in Hodgson’s side. And he will do all he can to rectify that before the transfer deadline tomorrow.
Raul Meireles became Liverpool’s sixth summer signing, but Hodgson is hoping for two more before the transfer window closes tomorrow.
Paul Konchesky, the Fulham left back, watched from the Anfield stands as he prepared to conclude his move while West Ham frontman Carlton Cole is high on the manager’s wish-list after he ruled out PSV Eindhoven’s Ola Toivonen.
Hodgson added: “I think we’d like another striker. We’ve said that all along but we haven’t found the right man and time is running out.”
Hodgson has to act fast though as his side’s inability to take charge and dominate a team like Albion, who had James Morrison dismissed for a kick at Torres, was all too obvious.
The visitors, without a win at Anfield since 1967, were spirited and manager Roberto di Matteo said: “We tried to be positive and play forward. We had a couple of half-chances and a bit more luck, belief or conviction in front of goal, then we might have got one in.”
LIVERPOOL: Reina 6, Johnson 5, Skrtel 6, Carragher 6, Agger 6, Jovanovic 5 (Maxi 60, 5), Poulsen 6, Lucas 6, Kuyt 6, Gerrard 7, Torres 6 (Babel 89).
WEST BROM: Carson 6, Jara 6, Tamas 7, Olsson 6, Shorey 6, Morrison 6, Dorrans 6 (Tchoyi 75, 5), Mulumbu 6, Brunt 6, Odemwingie 6, Fortune 6 (Wood 82, 5).
Referee: Lee Probert
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