Fernando Torres on why he’s such a fan of Trent Alexander-Arnold
Fernando Torres explained why he was wearing a Trent Alexander-Arnold shirt in a recent training video - and why he’s such a big fan. Torres will play for Liverpool Legends on Saturday.
Fernando Torres went viral at the weekend as footage of him training in a Trent Alexander-Arnold shirt went out. A Liverpool legend repping a future Liverpool legend - it was always going to get attention.
So why was Torres wearing the Scouser's shirt? Well, it turns out he sees Alexander-Arnold as someone similar to him.
"I think Trent is a special player for the supporters, also for me as a former player," Torres told Liverpoolfc.com. "It's really nice to see young players develop the way they are doing and become one of the main players in the first team.
"I'm sure Liverpool fans love him because he's one of them and he's playing on the field at the level he's doing. It's similar to what I did in Atletico – from the stands to the pitch and I always felt I was special for the fans.
"I'm sure Trent is feeling exactly the same. He's a Scouser playing for the first team and being important, one of the main players. For all of us, he's a special guy. I managed to get his shirt and I like to put it on to do some training."
And understandably, the Spaniard sees Alexander-Arnold as someone he'd have loved to play with.
"I always think it would be so nice to be able to play with him and receive these kind of crosses he does," he sid. "It would be a pleasure to play in the same team as Trent and be ready to head those crosses. I think it could be a good connection."
Fernando Torres x Trent Alexander-Arnold
There really is nothing quite like a local player growing up through the ranks of the club and becoming a star for the first team. Torres, of course, played with Liverpool's ultimate example of that - Steven Gerrard.
And Alexander-Arnold is one who will rival Gerrard as arguably the greatest Scouser to play for Liverpool. That's the bracket he's moved into and there's little doubt that he's a future captain.
But the Reds are blessed with a few quality local players now. Curtis Jones is essentially ruining Alexander-Arnold's 'Scouser in the team' song - there are firmly two now, with Jones becoming a regular in midfield.
Jayden Danns has had his name in lights this season, too, scoring twice in the FA Cup as Liverpool beat Southampton. In fact, you can count his appearances on one hand and he's already won a cup final.
Alexander-Arnold remains the star Scouser but he's being joined by more and more. As Torres says, that's something very special.