That right their in travel soccer is ah bench.
Lack of technical application resulting from a lack of concentration.
I surprise that nobody mentioning the fact that he touch was too heavy rounding the keeper... then like the ball was wider than where he expected it to be as he kicked it.
Technical aspects aside, it would be folly to just dismiss the magnitude of the miss in light of his colossal struggles, itself placed in light of his colossal transfer fee... itself viewed in the context of his colossal finger to Liverpool FC.
Speaking for myself, I eh mention that because:
While the touch took him wide, it's clear to most, if not all, observers that 'finishing' was still on. Also, while the touch took him wide it also accomplished two other things favourable to Torres: (1) it placed him closer to the goal line and (2) it achieved separation from the goalkeeper.
We can look at (2) as being a (3) because the goalkeeper was also the last defender ... separation from the last defender. Consequently, the sole remaining obstacle to Torres scoring was himself.
The angle available for the attempt on goal was not acute. Here's the kerosene and the match: Nasri addressed the argument on acute angles with his goal last season under circumstances less conducive to scoring.
There is no excuse for Torres not scoring, but there is an explanation.