Fernando Torres' best Liverpool goals: Top five strikes from El Nino

This article has been updated since it was first published on July 4, 2017

It's 10 years since Liverpool smashed their club-record transfer fee to bring Fernando Torres to Anfield from Atletico Madrid for around £20 million.

In his three-and-a-half-season stay on Merseyside, Torres established himself as one of the greatest No. 9s to pull on the famous red strip, finding the back of net 81 times in 142 appearances.

As "El Nino" prepares to face his former club, once again representing boyhood side Atletico Madrid, in Wednesday's Audi Cup final, ESPN FC looks back on Torres' top five goals during his time at Liverpool.

5. vs. Chelsea -- Aug. 19, 2007

It was Anfield's first glimpse of their new striker, and it only took 16 minutes for Torres to impress. After getting on the end of an inch-perfect through ball from Steven Gerrard, which would become a recurring theme, the Spaniard effortlessly turned past defender Tal Ben Haim before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left of the net.

It was a moment of quality that deserved to win any game, but the awarding of a controversial penalty -- which was converted by Frank Lampard -- saw the game finish 1-1.

4. vs. Newcastle United -- March 8, 2008

It was the goal that summed up the telepathic relationship between Gerrard and Torres -- two players at the peak of their respective powers.

"I will never find a player like him who understands my game like he did," Torres would admit in 2015.

At Anfield, after a quick one-two, the Liverpool captain found Torres bursting beyond the Newcastle defence. Using his intelligence, Torres shimmied and glided past goalkeeper Steve Harper before putting the ball into an empty net.

"The understanding between Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard is good and they can kill off any team, those two." manager Rafa Benitez said afterwards.

3. vs. Marseille -- December 11, 2007

Liverpool faced the French side in a crucial Champions League group stage encounter at the Stade Velodrome. After Gerrard's 4th-minute penalty, Torres followed with a superb individual effort in the 11th minute. The striker danced and weaved in between a number of Marseille defenders inside the penalty area, and gave himself just enough space to roll the ball past Steve Mandanda.

2. vs. Arsenal -- April 8, 2007

The frantic Champions League second-leg affair with the Gunners is one of Anfield's best European nights in recent history. With the tie delicately poised, Torres latched onto Peter Crouch's flick-on. Torres had his back to goal, but managed to create enough space between Philippe Senderos and himself to turn around and deliver a thumping effort past Manuel Almunia.

It is the pick of his eight goals for Liverpool during Europe's premier cup competition, helping the Reds beat Arsene Wenger's side 4-2 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.

"It was the biggest night of my career and I came to Liverpool for nights like this," Torres said after the spectacle.

1. vs. Blackburn Rovers -- April 11, 2009

It was a simple punt from defender Jamie Carragher that led to Torres' best strike in red. The rest came down to the unchallenged ability of the Spanish striker.

Torres chested the ball down with his back to goal and then performed a wonderful swivel-volley over the despairing Paul Robinson.

After the game, Torres said the goal was "maybe the best I have ever scored," while Carragher said his teammate was "one of the greatest strikers in the world."