Fernando Torres strain, which was later extended to at least four weeks by specialists. He was named on the shortlist for the FIFA World Player of the Year award in December, and eventually came in third place behind Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. Torres returned to action on 3 January 2009 as a substitute with a goal in the 2–0 win over Preston North End, his first in the FA Cup. He scored two late goals for Liverpool to secure a 2–0 victory over Chelsea on 1 February 2009. Despite having spent a year and a half at the club, Torres was chosen
2008–09 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season a penalty, which was converted by Robbie Keane. The game finished 2–1 and Tottenham, having conceded just ten goals at home all season, broke their own club record and ensured ending the season with the best home defence in the 2008–09 season. Tottenham went into the final game of the season at Anfield, with a small chance of finishing in seventh place and Europe, needing to beat Liverpool and hoping that Everton could earn three points against Fulham at Craven Cottage; Everton, however, won 2–0. In Spurs' match, Fernando Torres and an own goal by Alan Hutton had Liverpool 2–0