Fernando Torres to the Bridge

As rumors of Fernando Torres moving to Chelsea intensified over the weekend and people debated whether Luis Suarez was brought to Anfield to partner or replace El Nino I had one of those "whoa" moments. I realized that for the first time I can remember one of the elite or so called "big 4" was considering selling a superstar to another of the English super clubs.

I left for work yesterday after reading a report in the Spanish press that assured the deal was done. At lunch I saw the deal went through. And when I got home I was surprised to learn Liverpool spent about 35 of the 50 million they got for Torres on Newcastle striker Andy Carroll.

The notion of someone like Fernando Torres being sold to Chelsea was awkward at first but in a cold analysis it made sense. Liverpool are not title contenders, in all likelihood will not be in the Champions League next year, see genuine but limited interest in the Europa League, and had an elite player who's value will never likely be higher. It might hurt to see him in a rival's colors, but their was logic to the move.

BUT... they managed to bungle the move. Luis Suarez, who they bought for a reasonable price off Ajax, is a proven striker who averaged nearly a goal a game during time in Amsterdam. For the immediate future he should be enough to round out the Liverpool attack. The acquisition of Andy Carroll was a squandering of a historic transfer fee. When added together the two strikers cost more than Fernando Torres did. It can be argued that 2 is better than 1 and Torres has certainly been injury prone but as a neutral observer Liverpool look clumsy and rudderless.

Andy Carroll now becomes the most expensive English player of all time (!) and has scored a grand total of 11 Premiership goals. He has one cap with the Three Lions. He has never won any major silverware (unless you count the Championship last season). It may sound like I am writing him off. I am not, Andy Carroll is an extremely talented striker with phenomenal instincts and at 22 he is likely to improve. But 35 million pounds is too much for him, particularly at a time when his addition to the squad has such a limited ceiling. Liverpool currently sit 7th, 9 points out of a CL spot. Even with Carroll a finish above fifth seems like a fantasy. And the buy came at a time when there were legitimate concerns at leftback and a need to beef up the midfield. Both needs could have been addressed for half what they paid Newcastle.