Fernando Torres fired up

RAFA BENITEZ TARGETS FERGIE

Fernando Torres holds key as Liverpool take another shot at United

By CHRIS BASCOMBE, 25/07/2009

FERNANDO Torres plans to cash in on the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo as the Premier League's most fearsome hitman.

But the Liverpool superstar admits he'll only hit the glorious heights of the ex-United winger if he inspires the Kop to their Premier League holy grail.

Torres believes the title race has been blown wide open thanks to Ronaldo's £80million departure from Old Trafford.

He is relishing the prospect of filling his boots with the kind of title winning goals United had become accustomed to - and will now sorely miss.

"Of course, it's my ambition to be seen in that way, but to do that we must win trophies," said Torres.

"I know only then will people be able to speak the same way about Liverpool and me as they have done Ronaldo and United.

"First we have to win trophies as a team and to do that we have to have a fantastic season. It's true we have one of our best chances to win the title for a long time, but it's still time to be careful.

"People are saying United will be a lot weaker without Ronaldo, but I don't think so. They are still a fantastic team but of course we have a big chance.

"Maybe with Ronaldo leaving United it's not so easy to see one big favourite this time.

"We think this can be the year for Liverpool, but we know how difficult it's going to be. Chelsea are the same side as last season and Arsenal are strong.

"We are also strong, and with a great signing like Glen Johnson joining us we feel we'll be even stronger. I hope Xabi Alonso stays too because he's one of the best midfielders in the world."

Torres has vowed to ensure last season's injury woes are a thing of the past. The 25-year-old said: "It's my aim to be fit for every game this season.

"It's hard to say I feel fresher now than last season because I've only just started training again after the Confederations Cup.

"By the start of the season I'm going to be 100 per cent. I hope last season's injury problems are well behind me."

Your comments

This article has 13 comments

lorraine...man utd are the RAINING champions..cos all they do is CRY and WHINE....hahaha....you mean the REIGNING champions

By mervin.. Posted July 29 2009 at 7:40 AM.

no point of having dozen of superstars but cant win a thing...its about a good squad and consistency...and man u has proven that...arsenal did it...chelsea did it...so when is Liverpool goin to????

By Jim Drunkenmiller.. Posted July 29 2009 at 9:57 AM.

Who cares who's got the best players, it's about consistency (so if you are a good player you will play week in and week out consistant) Sorry Liverpool, who is the raining champions of ENGLAND for the last three seasons? It's about a good squad and consistency, as simple as that.

By Lorraine.. Posted July 27 2009 at 12:16 PM.

to man u fans u have got michael owen good player for liverpool had his injuries will never be the player he was yeah he will score goals but wont player many games robbie fowler was well a better player and will come back to us again and not get paid he is liverpool through through. owen will pull his hamstring again an again

By craig .. Posted July 26 2009 at 9:22 PM.

torres gerrard and alonso mascherano, reina and agger have been and are still being courted by every major club in the world,

reina, torres, gerrard, mascherano, alonso would walk into every single club side in the world, hence why barca want javier and why real want xabi, gerrard even at nearly 30 is still and has proved it over and over again one of the best 5 players in the world, reina will one day go bak to spain, as will torres, arbeloa is wanted by real and inter, so in fact rafa has built a liverpool team that has at least 5 world class players, mau td have about 3 world class players but i do not see the massive rush to buy their players either, who have they that would get into barcas first team, er... rooney ferdinand, er,,, berbatov i dont think so maybe rooney at best

By sam.. Posted July 26 2009 at 12:16 PM.

to you man utd fas , ferndando torres who keep saying or this that about liverpool but I did not see once in both games last season did I see ronaldo play his best against us and what didn't torres run rings around you defence even vidic couldn't handel him and he is one your best defenders , yes ronaldo is a brilliant playyer but at least torres gives 100% every game crap teams or good unlike ronaldo , so if torres is no threat to you big boys united like I said how come he ripped you apart at old trafford !!! Threat Big time !!!!

By lewis dillon.. Posted July 26 2009 at 10:30 AM.

Torres is the best foward in the prem by miles. I reckon we will see him score 30+ goals next season.

Especially now he has had Vidic surgically removed from his back pocket.

By Matt.. Posted July 26 2009 at 10:26 AM.

so penelope thinks united have better players than liverpool. maybe ye do but i disagree.
best keeper in the league, Reine/Cech(i cant decide)
best defender in the league, Vidic
best midfielder in the league, Gerrard
best striker in the league, Torres

ha ha, ye dont even have the best strikers in Manchester, also Steven Ireland is a better central midfielder than anything ye have.

By denis.. Posted July 26 2009 at 10:20 AM.

It just shows how silly united fans are by their comments below this article... READ THE ARTICLE! It doesnt once say that he though Ronaldo was better than him, he says "I know only then will people be able to speak the same way about Liverpool and me as they have done Ronaldo and United." - That means he recognises to be seen in the same way as Ronaldo is with Man U he needs to win trophies with Liverpool. If you still dont get it then stop reading....

By Jim.. Posted July 26 2009 at 9:39 AM.

SO NOW THAT RONALDO LEFT YOU ALL ADMIT HE WAS THE BEST IN THE WORLD AND WANT TO BECOME LIKE HIM.TORRES you are a great player but Ronaldo you will never be- not as long as you play for Loserfool managed by Beneathus that is for sure!
but it is always nice to hear true professional admitting we are what they aspire to be unlike your plastic fans

By RED DEVIL.. Posted July 26 2009 at 9:20 AM.

Hmmmm you have better players than:

1- Steve G ?
2- Torres ?
3- Mascharano ?
4- Alonso ?

Very doubtful, even City have better players than you guys.

By @ Penelope.. Posted July 26 2009 at 6:31 AM.

Torres you are already a class above Ronaldo

By paul barrett.. Posted July 26 2009 at 5:40 AM.

LOL @ Torres. Did you did to wait for Ronaldo to leave before you can win the Premier League? You're no threat anyway. We have way better players than Liverpool!

By Penelope.. Posted July 26 2009 at 3:15 AM.

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