Sunderland striker Eliezer Mayenda has revealed his liking for Liverpool, as he revealed a Reds legend as a key reason for it. The 20-year-old claimed that Fernando Torres is his inspiration, but it all started with Pro Evolution Soccer.
Torres was one of the best strikers to have played at Anfield for the Reds, scoring 81 goals in just 142 matches in all competitions. He was a role model for several young strikers, and the Spain U21 star has now told El Mundo Madrid that he was among them.
Mayenda claims he resonates with the former Chelsea striker, as he left Spain at a young age and impressed in the Premier League. He added that the striker was a key reason he chose Liverpool while playing Pro Evolution Soccer with his brother, which led him to like the Anfield club.
“Torres debuted very young, at a time when it wasn’t so common to do so early. I identify with him. It’s also important that when I played Pro Evolution Soccer with my brother, Fernando Torres was there, playing for Liverpool. I really enjoyed playing with the English team. I identify with Fernando Torres; he also debuted very young… I like Liverpool.”
Mayenda has represented Spain at the U17, U20, and U21 levels, but has never played senior-level football in the country. He started with CS Bretigny Youth and FC Sochaux at the youth level before joining Sunderland in 2023. He spent a few months on loan at Hibernian before returning to the Black Cats, where he has played 71 times, scoring 12 goals and assisting six times.
Liverpool have not been linked with a move for the 20-year-old yet, while Paris FC are said to be keeping tabs on him.
Liverpool star compared to Fernando Torres
Torres will forever be remembered for his brilliance at Anfield and his move to Chelsea, but his connection with Steven Gerrard cannot be forgotten. The Liverpool legend spoke about the former Spanish forward earlier this year, hailing Hugo Ekitike as someone who is similar.
Speaking on TNT Sports (via BBC), Gerrard praised Ekitike for his goals against Newcastle United at Anfield. He claimed that the Frenchman reminded him of Torres’ playstyle and said:
“It is all about Hugo Ekitike running the channel. It is Torres-like. He gets it out of his feet and that toe-poke… He reminds me of Torres every time I watch him.”
Ekitike was signed for an initial £69 million in the summer and has been the main man in attack for Arne Slot. The Frenchman has scored 11 goals and assisted four times in the Premier League, while adding six goals in other competitions for the Reds.
Alexander Isak was expected to be the top striker option this season, but the former Newcastle United star’s injury has kept him out. He started off late in the season after skipping pre-season with the Magpies, and then suffered a broken leg against Tottenham in December, seconds after scoring the opening goal of the game, which the Reds ended up winning 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
