Fernando Torres – Aksen Scouse Torres

Belum genap satu tahun hijrah ke Liverpool, Fernando Torres (24) sudah cukup mahir berbahasa Inggris. Mantan striker Atletico Madrid itu rajin mengikuti kursus bahasa Inggris sejak bergabung dengan The Reds musim panas 2007 silam.

Bukan sekadar fasih berbicara dalam bahasa Inggris, ia juga jago menirukan aksen Scouse atau logat ciri khas masyarakat Liverpool seperti aktor komedi Harry Enfield.

“Bahasa Inggris Fernando cukup baik. Tetapi, ia lebih suka berbicara dengan menggunakan aksen Scouse dan ulahnya itu selalu membuat rekan-rekannya tertawa,” ungkap salah seorang pegawai Stadion Anfield kepada The Sun.

Torres tergolong cepat beradaptasi dengan kehidupan barunya di Inggris berkat bantuan para pemain Liverpool. “Mereka menerima saya dengan tangan terbuka sehingga saya tidak risau memikirkan apapun selain sepakbola. Sebagai balasan, saya ingin mengenal mereka tanpa bantuan penterjemah. Oleh sebab itu, saya bersemangat sekali belajar bahasa Inggris,” ucap Torres.

Torres Again, Wins Liverpool Derby

Fernando Torres scored his 21st league goal of the season to extend the gap over their fifth-placed neighbours to five points, putting qualification for next season's Champions League firmly in their hands. It took Torres just seven minutes to score in his first Merseyside derby. Everton cleared a Liverpool corner out to Yakubu, but the Nigerian hesitated on the edge of the penalty area and was dispossessed by Xabi Alonso. The ball broke into the path of Torres who pounced to slide his finish past goalkeeper Tim Howard.

The Spanish striker, and the Liverpool team in general, carried a constant threat, and Everton were not allowed any time to get comfortable on the ball and build attacks. Dirk Kuyt had several chances to double Liverpool's lead, sending one header off target and having another shot blocked by Tony Hibbert. He got on the end of an impressive one-touch move involving Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Torres, but the Dutchman sent his volley wide of the mark. Liverpool captain Gerrard was also unlucky not to score, as his well-struck volley from a Torres nod-down crashed off the foot of the post.

Everton, without Tim Cahill or Andy Johnson, had their chances severely hampered by the under-par set pieces of Mikel Arteta, and lone striker Yakubu was well marshalled by the big centre-back pairing of Sami Hyypia and Martin Skrtel. The visitors made a brighter start to the second half, with Leon Osman getting in front of his marker at the near post but could only head his effort wide. However, it was Liverpool who still dominated possession and created more chances, with defender Joseph Yobo making two vital blocks in 30 seconds from shots by Alonso and Lucas Leiva.

As the match moved into the closing stages, Everton failed to mount any real fightback, and Howard was forced into making a spectacular save from another solid Gerrard strike from distance in the last minute of normal time. With only six matched remaining, Everton can almost certainly finish no higher than their current position, where they are still odds on for another season of UEFA Cup football as they are still four points above Portsmouth.

El Nino, Broke of Transfer Record

Liverpool broke there transfer record on July 4, 2007 when they signed Torres for £26.5 million from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish international had been one of the most talked about forwards in the game and despite repeated approaches from Premiership and Liga clubs he remained loyal to boyhood club Atletico Madrid for twelve-years, six as a professional, making 214 appearances and scoring 82 goals.

The Spanish club snapped him up at the age of 11 after he netted 55 goals in his first season at amateur side Rayo 13. He signed his first professional contract in 1999 but he had to wait until May 27, 2001 to make his debut against Leganes. He scored his first goal the following week against Albacete. He was captain of Atletico Madrid before he departed.

Torres was top scorer and player of the tournament in the 2001 European Under-16 Championships and 2002 European U19 Championships, both of which Spain won. After progressing through the U21s the youngster made his full debut in a friendly with Portugal on September 6, 2003. The following April he scored his first international goal against Italy. He represented Spain in the 2006 World Cup but he is yet to prove himself on the senior international stage and is accused of needing too many chances to score a goal by critics in his homeland.

Nicknamed El Nino (The Child), his brand of speedy forward play is always a joy to watch and his physical stature should suit the Premiership well.