This time last week, nobody could have predicted the surprises the remainder of the transfer window was going to throw up. A quiet window for Liverpool in which the most significant move was that of Babel out of the club, was about to get much more interesting.
All eyes were on Ajax and Suarez as the will he-won't move appeared to be dragging on and going right to the wire. But just 72 hours before the window slammed shut, came the biggest news of this, or any, January window. News was breaking that Chelsea had made a bid of £40m for Fernando Torres - Liverpool had rejected it and we all had a good laugh at Chelsea's expense at their audacious attempt to prize away 'our' Fernando. But the story was only just beginning. Just as the transfer bid had been rejected our Number 9, to even more surprise, submitted a transfer request. Not many could have expected it, and even fewer were believing it. It took me a while to digest the information and get my head around it. Various reasons were thrown up for why a transfer request would be submitted at this time - was Fernando putting pressure on the board to invest? Was he wanting an improved contract? Was this just some tabloid rumour? Was I dreaming? Well, the news was confirmed by LFC and they had also stated that the request had been turned down.
On a day that should have been dominated by the news of a fee for Suarez having been agreed, the big story was instead that of Fernando Torres wanting to move away. Over the next few hours many, including myself, were hoping that Torres would have a change of heart, or someone at the club or close to the player could convince him to change his mind. But this was not to happen and due to the timing of the request and the fact that Chelsea had been sniffing around Torres since the Summer a deal looked inevitable.
It was now up to our new owners and the board to make the most of a very difficult position that Torres had put the club in. 3 days to replace your best striker, and one of the best in world football, was not ideal but it was what we had to do. Thankfully the Suarez deal was nearing completion so focus could turn to finding a replacement number 9. And if Torres's request to leave was a surprise, then the name being touted as his replacement was equally so - Andy Carroll. Few thought that the player was available from Newcastle Utd having recently signed a 5 year contract and even fewer would have believed he was on the LFC radar - but with the timing of Torres's transfer request, needs must.
The fee of £35m that LFC had to spend to secure Carroll's services was a British transfer record, until a few hours later when the £50m for Torres superseded it. But it is the most expensive fee for any British player and only time will tell if the outlay was worth it. Some say that Liverpool having brought in 2 strikers and shipped one out have got the better end of the deal. Others say that having lost one of the best strikers in football is always going to hamper you. If we'd lost the Torres of 2 years ago, I would have to agree with the latter statement, but this season Torres has looked a different player at times - disinterested and lethargic. But at others he has shown flashes of his brilliant past. But, if any player no longer wants to be at the club, then they shouldn't be there.
The board did their best to get the maximum fee for Torres and £50m for the player is as good as we were going to get. People were looking forward to the Suarez/Torres partnership and they could have been a very good pairing, but Carroll/Suarez has just as much potential to be successful. The board have put a lot of trust in Kenny by spending a large amount of money this January and in the process have made a statement of intent that come the summer we may be in for some more quality purchases.
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