What Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold told Fernando Torres on surprise Liverpool return

What Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold told Fernando Torres on surprise Liverpool return

Fernando Torres was at the AXA Training Centre this week to shadow Jürgen Klopp and Pep Ljinder. The former Liverpool striker is currently coaching Atletico Madrid's U19.

Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was a special visitor to the club's AXA Training Centre this week as the 40-year-old Spaniard shadowed Jürgen Klopp and Pep Lijnders.

Torres played for Liverpool from 2007 to 2011 and scored 81 goals in all competitions until his acrimonious move to Chelsea midway through the 2010/11 season soured his reputation in the eyes of some Reds fans for several years. After Chelsea, Torres went on to play for AC Milan and another stint at Atletico Madrid before retiring in 2019 after a season in Japan.

Since retirement, Torres was appointed as coach of Atletico's U-19 side in 2021, where he is still manager. He was back at Anfield on Saturday, and scored the fourth for Liverpool Legends in their comeback win over Ajax.

Torres was also invited to oversee Liverpool's training ahead of Sunday's game against Brighton, with the idea being to give him first-hand experience by Klopp and Lijnders before the pair leave Anfield at the end of the season.

"I'm a big fan of Jürgen and his staff and all around the AXA training facility, which is very different than when I was here," commented Torres on Liverpool's official X account. "So obviously the club grows a lot, and I have the chance to see why.

"There are many reasons. It's amazing to be here and to be able to meet with Jürgen and Pep and all the staff to learn and try to understand the Liverpool way," he added.

There was a more humorous moment when Torres, meeting several of the current Liverpool squad, was told by Mohamed Salah that he was fitter than Trent Alexander-Arnold at the age of 40. Alexander-Arnold has struggled for injuries this season, but the Englishman jokingly fired back at Salah, telling him that Torres was still a 'better finisher' than the Egyptian. Salah has scored 15 Premier League goals this season and has 23 in all competitions.

Asked what he learned from his time shadowing Klopp and Lijnders, Torres said: "Many things. The main thing maybe is this charisma and this character of Jürgen and his staff with the players. He treats everybody like a family, which I think is the main thing.

"I really believe in the personal relations between the players, the staff and the workers and everybody involved in the club. It's the key of performing this way. I'm seeing from inside that they think the same way, which is really nice."

Torres will be in attendance at Anfield for Liverpool's match against Brighton on Easter Sunday.