Goal-storming Torres has to be Liverpool's player of the season

Many critics expressed doubts over Liverpool’s expensive purchase of Spanish striker Fernando Torres last summer, but after an explosive opening campaign to his Premier League career, their words must have eaten away at them over the last few months or so.

With a determined and hard-working attitude, Torres has adapted to the toughest and most brutal league in our world with swagger and ease, scoring more than 20 goals in the process. Only the untouchable Cristaino Ronaldo offers better statistics in that department, and if it wasn’t for Manchester United’s young superstar, Torres would surely have received the PFA Player of the Year award only last week as well.

Defenders are required to be at their best for the entirety of any fixture against the lethal forward to stand any chance of winning their individual battle with him, and his goals tally explains that few defenders have achieved this terribly tough target. His electric speed often leaves markers chasing shadows, and once in front of goal, his expert finishing and calmness means the ball ends up in the net on more occasions that not.

And if anybody had suggested ‘El Nino’ would produce the most successful season of football in his entire career in his opening year at Anfield, then not many would have believed a word you said.