It\’s not an Anfield.
If today’s game was at Anfield, seven days after Fernando Torres had been sold by Liverpool to Chelsea, it would be different ball-game.
Far more emotional, far more irrational.
But scousers believe Kenny Dalglish when he says Liverpool are stronger now. Babel has gone as well and two talented strikers have arrived.
OK, Andy Carroll may not be fit for the rest of the season.
But Suarez is a young, fit goalpoacher who can link with man-of-the-moment Raul Mereiles.
It was no surprise that Torres became demoralised after Xabi Alonso and Mascherano were sold.
He\’s 27 in March and has never won a club medal, so you can\’t blame him for moving on.
I didn\’t want to see Torres go to Chelsea but it makes sense to join a club that can win something, a club that\’s in the Champions League.
Rafa Benitez was an indiscriminate spender who bought 77 players for £230 million and most of them were rubbish. Rafa\’s actions caused Liverpool\’s slide and made the departure of Torres almost inevitable.
How will it work with Drogba?
Way back in 2006, Abramovich signed Shevchenko from AC Milan for £3Om and that failed. A monster at Kiev and Milan, Sheva had lost a yard and Mourinho never wanted him.
But Shevchenko\’s arrival had one big effect : it galvanised Drogba and made him more productive.
In 2005-2006, Drogba scored 16 goals. After Shevchenko arrived, he scored 33.
How will Torres fit in? Let’s wait and see.
Chelsea play 4-3-3 and Drogba likes to link with Malouda, his mate.
In his pomp, Fernando Torres was, I think, the finest centre forward since Marco van Basten. He was better than Batistuta, Shearer or Klinsmann because he more of an all-round footballer. He was world class, the striker I measured others against.
Having played for Spain at all the age groups, he\’s a young veteran who looks burned-out as he approaches his 27th birthday.
But when he’s 100% fit and 100% up for it, Fernando Torres can still be the alpha male gladiator I always said he was.
Will he galvanise Drogba, replace Drogba, or play with Drogba? Nobody knows.
That\’s what we’re waiting to find out.
But remember : today\’s Chelsea-Liverpool game at 4pm is eleven against eleven, not to mention the subs who will come on. Any one of 25 players could grab tomorrow\’s headlines.