The Totally Football Show with James Richardson Totally Extra: Fernando Torres - the story of El Niño
Dec 20, 2025
Sasha Goryunov, a football writer known for his insightful analysis, joins Oscar-winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia, a fervent Liverpool fan, to explore Fernando Torres' storied career. They discuss Torres' early days, his electrifying impact at Liverpool, and his bond with Steven Gerrard. The conversation delves into his controversial move to Chelsea, the challenges he faced, and his eventual return to Atletico. Ultimately, they ponder why Torres remains beloved in Merseyside, despite the ups and downs of his journey.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Torres-Gerrard Partnership Defined Liverpool
- Fernando Torres captured wider attention because Liverpool signed a young, homegrown-feel star at his peak.
- His partnership with Steven Gerrard transformed both players and made Liverpool genuinely exciting to watch.
2008–09 Was Torres' Peak
- The 2008–09 season showed Torres at his peak: prolific, decisive, and capable of stunning European moments.
- Key performances (San Siro, Champions League) cemented his reputation as a match-winner on big stages.
Fratton Park Impact Moment
- Sasha recalls Torres' dramatic impact when he came on at Fratton Park and how the defence panicked.
- The header in stoppage time reignited Liverpool's title chase and the away end erupted.