London, Nov 27 : Liverpool striker Fernando Torres was frustrated by a German Shepherd as he failed to find a way past the tailed footie.

The Spanish hitman (24) was stunned by the tackling skills of 'Hank', the German Shepherd on a visit to a dog training centre.

Torres was filming a TV show for his home country, but the footage found its way on to video website YouTube.

At one point he tries a trademark flick but the dog, wearing the No 8 shirt of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, muzzles it away.

One fan said: "One minute Fernando was performing his tricks, the next he was chasing shadows."

The star came up against 'Hank' at the West Lancashire Canine Centre, Formby. The dog had wowed Liverpool fans - known for their "You'll Never Walk Alone" anthem - before Torres even signed for the Merseyside club in 2007.

A centre spokesman said yesterday: "Hank appeared at Anfield in goal during a dog display. He's highly-trained and a bit of a celebrity in his own right."

ANI