Fernando Torres: Can he do it for Chelsea this time?

The Euro 2012? Already done and dusted. We all know that Spain have emerged as worthy champions, successfully defending their title won in 2008.

So who was the player who benefited the most from La Roja’s title winning campaign? It would be none other than Chelsea’s “El Nino”, Fernando Torres.

The true No. 9

 Granted, Torres did not start most of the games at the Euro 2012, but he scored goals when it mattered and proved that he could still bang in the goals (2 against Ireland, and 1 against Italy) despite not being given much time to run.

Torres also had the chance to finish off Italy and end up with four goals overall, but unselfishly allowed his Chelsea teammate Juan Mata to score by providing an assist.

So now we await the start of the English Premier League Season 2012/2013 to see how Fernando Torres performs for Chelsea. We all remember how torrid a time Torres had at Chelsea since his transfer from Liverpool. The guy could hardly muster up a goal and had to be benched for many of his games. Chelsea had spent a ton of money for his services, yet he could only score 12 goals. A paltry return for their investment. Torres’ confidence was seriously in tatters. There was even talk of Chelsea putting Torres on the transfer market, and also of him leaving and joining Barcelona...

Can he get more than 12 in the new season?

 But now, having bagged the golden boot award at Euro 2012, Torres will surely go into the new season for Chelsea with renewed vigour and confidence. He should regain his hitman swagger and become a main go to striker for Chelsea (especially now that Drogba’s gone).

Here are some great videos as a reminder of what Chelsea’s Torres can do when he is on fire.

Fernando Torres scoring goals for Liverpool

Fernando Torres scoring goals for Chelsea

EPL: Battle for Fourth Place is ON!

Liverpool turned on the heat in the weekend when they trounced hapless Birmingham 5-0. Here' part of the report below:

Liverpool boss Dalglish salutes hat-trick hero Rodriguez

MAXI-mum damage caused to Birmingham

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Kenny Dal­glish saluted Maxi Rodriguez after his hat-trick helped Liverpool to a 5-0 victory against Birmingham at Anfield on Saturday.

Rodriguez’s impressive early opener was followed by Dirk Kuyt’s seventh goal in his past six Premier League games to set Liverpool on their way.

The Argentina midfielder completed his treble with two fine finishes after the break and there was a late fifth from Joe Cole.

Liverpool remain sixth, four points behind fourth placed Manchester City, and this encounter added further weight to the idea that Dalglish can return the Reds to the summit of the English game.

 

Dalglish only has the Liverpool job until the end of the season but it seems a matter of time until he is re-appointed as the Reds manager on a full-time basis, not that he is willing to discuss the matter at the moment.

 

Following the interval, Rodriguez volleyed home the Reds’ third and his second goal.

Rodriguez’s amazing afternoon was not finished there either as he then grabbed the match ball as Birmingham fell to pieces at the back. — AFP

Read the full report here.

If Liverpool can stay steady, and Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspurs continue to stumble, there is a small glimmer of hope that the Reds can steal a few more points to catch up. With some added luck, and with Suarez, Carroll and Maxi hitting top form, maybe a Champions League place might be possible.  Whatever the case, there are only 5-6 games left to play... So the battle for 4th place is definitely heating up! The upcoming game between Liverpool and Spurs will be a war!

Andy Carroll Opens Accounts for Liverpool

Liverpool's 35m pounds man opened accounts for Liverpool when they defeated Manchester City 3-0 at Anfield recently.

That means things may finally be looking up for the Reds as they desperately chase for the European spot, which is currently occupied by Tottenham Hotspurs.

With Luis Suarez in hot form, and Andy Carroll now with two premier league goals under his belt, Liverpool hopefully will come good and clinch the spot in Europe to salvage their season.

Carrol was clearly elated with his performance, and said "It was unbelievable. All the lads played well and obviously I got the goals I've been wanting.

I'm here to score goals, though the result is the most important thing and we got the three points.

We're just putting a team together now. Me and Luis are new, Flanno played his first game at the back - and I thought he did great. It shows what we can do for next season."

And what about ex-Kop favorite Torres? He still has not scored a goal for Chelsea until now. And there's a rumor going on that a certain billionaire owner plans to sell him at the end of the season. Poor Torres. Maybe he should have stayed put at Liverpool... (on the other hand, Torres can take comfort in the fact that another big signing Dzeko has also failed to prove his worth at City so far)

Big Weekend Game: Liverpool vs Manchester Utd

Tomorrow's big English Premier League event - Liverpool vs Manchester Utd at Anfield. Who takes it?

My head says Utd will likely prevail, but my heart wants Liverpool to cause a major upset by beating Utd, and stall their chances of winning this year's title.

Will Liverpool's new signing Andy Carroll play? What are the odds the lad will score one against the Red Devils? Or maybe Liverpool's other new boy Suarez steal a goal? Or Meireles could pop a surprise goal again?

Kenny's "dynamic duo"

Whatever it is, Liverpool has to play much better than their last match against West Ham, which was a disaster... Anyway it sure is going to be a cracker of a game!

Prediction? Liverpool 2 Man U 1

English Premier League: West Ham thrases Liverpool

What a game! Relegation threatened West Ham kicked the crap out of Liverpool earlier today with a resounding 3-1 victory at Upton Park. Scott Parker started the show with a goal in the first half and Carlton Cole finished Liverpool off late in the 2nd half.

"Finisher" Carlton Cole

Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool have been unbeaten for the past few matches but I guess their luck ran out this time.

Liverpool had several chances to even the match thru Suarez and Gerrard, but unfortunately their efforts were in vain.

Liverpool will be taking on Manchester Utd very soon, and they better start working on their finishing skills if they want to avoid another thrashing....