Chelsea Flop Fernando Torres Linked with Shock Return to Liverpool – Report

Chelsea forward Fernando Torres could be in line for a sensational return to Liverpool just two-and-a-half years after leaving Anfield for a British record transfer fee of £50m, according to reports in Portugal.

The Spaniard has endured a difficult time at Stamford Bridge, failing to make an impact under various managers and has now seemingly found himself out of favour with new boss Jose Mourinho.

Torres was substituted in the victory over Hull City, did not feature in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa and was once again left on the bench for the game against Manchester United, with Mourinho instead deciding to play attacking midfielder Andre Schurrle as a sole striker.

Portuguese newspaper A Bola is reporting that Liverpool may well attempt to bring Torres back to the club, whilst also suggesting that Arsenal are closely monitoring his situation as deadline day approaches.

Arsenal have failed to land a high profile player this summer and have already missed out on Liverpool striker Luis Suarez after seeing numerous bids for the controversial forward rejected.

While Arsenal have struggled to significantly improve their squad, Liverpool have added attacking options in Spaniards Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas. However, Brendan Rodgers will be concerned over the future of Suarez and may well consider signing another forward before the transfer window closes on Monday evening.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher stated on Monday that he believed Torres did not have a future at Chelsea after being left on the bench for the huge game against United at Old Trafford.

"I'm wondering if Mourinho was sending a message to the owner in the stands," Carragher stated on Sky Sports.

"We all know he wants [Wayne] Rooney, that's obvious. He's basically saying that his strikers aren't good enough; that's what he's telling the world out there.

"You could say it's probably the end at Chelsea [for Torres]. I didn't think he was going to have too great a time under Mourinho.

"As soon as Jose came in his quotes were quite negative about Torres. He started him in the first game against Hull and he was poor. I don't think he got stripped for the second game against [Aston] Villa.

"I've played with Torres at Old Trafford and he tortured [Manchester United defender] Nemanja Vidic, he totally took him to the cleaners on this pitch in 2009. You wouldn't have swapped him for anyone.

"But now he can't even get on the pitch ahead of André Schürrle, who is only a winger. For me, in terms of an individual player, I don't think we'll ever see Torres come back to being the player we saw a few years ago against Vidic at Old Trafford."

It is unclear how Chelsea value Torres but they may well be prepared to take a major loss on the striker if they feel he is no longer needed at the club.