Dalglish, Rush, Fowler? Fernando Torres can outscore them all at Liverpool.(September 26, 2007)
The young Spaniard's immense talent and courage was clear to see in the Carling Cup win at Reading. But can he really join the list of Liverpool super-heroes?

It's been many years since I had a true hero at Liverpool. Robbie Fowler was my last. His enthusiasm and love for the club, as well as an ability to score extraordinary goals, meant that he was always the one player I truly adored growing up. Steve McManaman was always a close second because of his flair, but since those heady entertaining days I have never truly, passionately, loved a player.

Yes, Steven Gerrard is one of the best players in the world. I admire him more than any other for his work rate, ability, skill and talent, but a number of factors have kept me from truly keeping him close to my heart.

Jamie Carragher is Liverpool through and through. He takes the feelings I had for Neil (Razor) Ruddock who would run through a brick wall for his club in pure passion and true embodiment of Liverpool Football Club to a new level. Unfortunately, due to his position and lack of flair he cannot excite my imagination in the way that Robbie or Maca always could.

Fernando Torres looks to have finally taken over as Robbie’s replacement in my heart. His ability to score from impossible situations so early in his Liverpool career is extraordinary. His third goal in Tuesday's Carling Cup tie at Reading (his first hat-trick for the club) underlines my point. He took the ball at a snail's pace up to the keeper and without undue arrogance slipped it to his left before lazily passing it into the open goal.

This in a game where he had received no protection from an awful referee who allowed him to be kicked all over the park from as early as the third minute. A lesser player would have walked off injured. Torres just kept on going, and despite taking continual punishment, got stuck in again and again.

We have had many occasions in the recent past where players are likened to other famous names. It's not a practice I like and not one I have done before. Now, I am moved to join in. I know it is early days but I think it's fair to say that Torres is the most talented striker we have had at the club since Ian Rush.

John Aldridge was an amazing replacement until Rush’s famous return, but he failed to provide the same cover and work over the whole park in the way that Rushy did. Fowler scored many outstanding goals and is probably the best predator we have ever had but still did not have the natural ability to match Rush. Michael Owen had a great talent but never reached 20 goals in the Premiership and left in a way I will never be able to forgive.

Torres seems to just have it all - and at such a young age. I am too young to have seen Kenny Dalglish at his best live but he is rightly considered the best we have ever had. Rushy is my best centre forward by far but in Torres I feel we have a potential replacement. It will take him at least a decade to achieve what Rushy did and even begin to take the place we have in our hearts for him - let alone his place in the history books. But I am excited in a way that I have not felt for many years.