Fernando Torres Names Liverpool Trio in Star-Studded 'Ultimate XI' of Former Teammates
Fernando Torres has picked a lineup of his best former teammates – picking three of his former Liverpool colleagues.
The Spanish striker, who turned 36 this week, retired from football last year, bringing an end to an illustrious career which saw him lift the World Cup, European Championship, Champions League and Europa League.
Speaking to LFC TV, Torres explained his choices. Talking about his midfield – picking former Red Javier Mascherano – he said: "A holding midfielder, a player who all the teams need. Hard-working, good with the ball, a player I loved playing alongside in Liverpool.
"And next to him will be Xabi Alonso, the perfect partner for him - you could see that in our time all together here. Mascherano and Alonso are the perfect combination and we need Alonso's quality with the ball to play."
El Niño then selected Steven Gerrard as an attacking midfielder in his XI. The duo proved a formidable force during Torres' Anfield reign, and he said: "In the midfield, in the most advanced position is Steven Gerrard. This is my icon player.
"I needed Steven in the team; any system, any team. A key player for me and obviously the most important player in that role, as a No.10, a little bit in front of Mascherano and Alonso.
"The best player that I've played with. I've said many times that he is the player who completed my game. There is a 'before and after' since I started playing with him. So an icon player, captain of that team and I would be so happy to be able to play with him again."
When choosing his defence, Torres opted for three centre-halves, as he explained: "The defence will be three centre-backs. Carles Puyol, a key player, an amazing defender. Diego Godin, he's another amazing defender. I will play with three so I will pick John Terry as the third centre-back.
"When I want to defend with three I need three of them to be top defenders who can play together. So there will be no full-backs so I need three centre-backs to play in position. Godin, Puyol and Terry are very good with the ball and they are strong defenders so we can defend with three all the time."
To complete Torres' midfield of star-studded talent, he included former Spain teammates and legendary Barcelona pairing Andres Iniesta and Xavi – putting Jan Oblak, his former Atletico Madrid teammate, in goal.
The 36-year-old picked himself up front alongside former Spain strike partner David Villa. The pair inspired Spain to glory at the European Championships in 2008, and won the World Cup together in 2010.
Torres' XI: Oblak, Puyol, Terry, Godin, Alonso, Mascherano, Xavi, Iniesta, Gerrard, Villa, Torres.