Torres Expresses Regret Over Manner Of Liverpool Exit
Fernando Torres has expressed regret over the manner in which he left Liverpool for Chelsea in January 2011.
The 35-year-old, who recently retired from football, will be donning the Red jersey one more time when Liverpool legends take on Barcelona legends at Anfield in a charity game next March.
Torres became an instant fan favourite at Anfield when he joined the Reds from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007.
In his three-and-a-half seasons at Liverpool, Torres forged a deadly attacking partnership with Steven Gerrard and scored 81 goals in 142 appearances in all competitions, however his time on the red side of Merseyside failed to produce any silverware.
Chelsea shocked the footballing world in the 2011 winter transfer window deadline day as they shelled out a then British transfer record fee of £50m to sign Torres from Liverpool but the Spaniard, who forced his exit with a transfer request, could not replicate his Anfield form at Stamford Bridge.
"One of the regrets I have is the way I left the club," Torres told Liverpool's official website.
"With time, I think I could explain the reasons. 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. It should be the opposite way.
"I always thank them for the way they made me feel when I was here, and even now.
"I'm really proud to say I will support Liverpool forever, it doesn't matter what happened. Even when things between us were not at their best, I felt that I needed to support Liverpool.
"The city, fans and club will always be in my heart because it's the way I feel and I cannot change that."
