Spearheaded by the scintillating partnership of Steven Gerrard and Torres in attack, Rafael Benitez’s team narrowly missed out on a third visit to the Champions League final in four years.
A major Premier League title challenge was mounted in the next campaign but saw Liverpool ultimately end as runners-up, with injury spells meaning their No.9’s goal tally was halved.
Twenty-two more goals were supplied by Torres in 2009-10 but the powers of that Reds side were quickly waning and Benitez’s tenure in the dugout concluded upon the season’s completion.
Speculation surrounding his own future was increasingly rife and a contentious parting of the ways occurred in January 2011 as he left to join Chelsea.
“One of the regrets I have is the way I left the club. With time, I think I could explain the reasons,” Torres, who has since returned to Anfield several times for charity matches, later said.
“I’m really happy that every time I go anywhere in the world, I see Liverpool fans and they come to me and thank me for my time here.
“It should be the opposite way. I always thank them for the way they made me feel when I was here, and even now. The city, fans and club will always be in my heart because it’s the way I feel and I cannot change that.
“The memories will last forever. I can remember every goal and every game I played here, and every goal I scored.”
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