Saturday, August 02, 2008

Fernando Torres Sets Higher Strike Target For Liverpool FC

Fernando Torres is ready to shrug off fears of a ‘second season syndrome’ – by continuing to be a winner.

The 24-year-old came back to pre-season training with Liverpool this week as a European champion following Spain’s triumph in Austria and Switzerland earlier in the summer.

Torres – who could be paired with his old club Atletico Madrid in today’s Champions League third qualifying round draw – is confident that experience will help him carry on the good work of his debut season in England.

His 24 Premier League goals made him the foreign player with the most strikes in a first season in England’s top flight, beating Ruud van Nistelrooy’s 2002 mark of 23. But he has no qualms about living up to the expectation, saying: “My aim is to score more than last season, which is what I am working towards.

“I, at least, have to aim to equal last year’s figure because it is very important to bring goals to the team.

“Getting my mind back on Liverpool after the European Championships will not be a problem. All of us Spaniards came back happy, full of confidence, and with a real desire to stay at the top and keep on winning. We want people to continue talking about us. We now have another chance to leave a mark with the Premier League and the Champ-ions League. I am coming into this season with all the desire and hope in the world.”

Torres started all of his country’s Euro 2008 games apart from the dead rubber group match with Greece and his winner in the final against Germany brought Spain their first major trophy for 44 years.

An equally agonising wait for the Premier League continues to hang over his club side as Liverpool go into the campaign making their 19th attempt to win their 19th title.

“Like every season the expectation is huge,” added Torres, who made a 20-minute return to action as a substitute in Wednesday night’s friendly in Villarreal.

“People are talking about us winning the Premier League again because we have been some way off for the last few years. It has been 19 years since we won it. We also have to be among the best teams in the Champions League again. We are a very competitive side over two legs and I’m certain that we can go a long way.”

Torres has also welcomed the £20million capture of Robbie Keane from Tottenham, who he feels has the experience to help Liverpool make that double assault on the domestic and European front. But he admits he isn’t sure if he is saying hello to a new strike partner.

“Robbie Keane really wanted to come to us and I think he is going to bring us an enormous amount – hard work, goals and experience,” Torres said. “He will bring the level of the team up a notch and I’m sure he is going to be very important this season.

“But the tactical lay-out of the team and whether or not we are going to play two up-front is down to Rafa.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool are prepared to wait for the outcome of talks between Gareth Barry and Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill.

O’Neill followed up the club statement that their captain would be staying by declaring his delight that Barry will remain a Villa player after Liverpool missed the deadline they imposed to complete his signing.

But both Barry and Benitez are keen to push the deal through after the Midlands club accepted Liverpool’s £18million bid – which has always the main stumbling block during this elongated saga.

The structure of the deal couldn’t be agreed in time during Wednesday’s intense negotiations, but Barry and his agent plan to meet O’Neill to reiterate their desire to compete his Anfield switch.

Benitez also wants the deal finalised quickly. After tomorrow’s friendly with Rangers at Ibrox, his side only has two more warm-up games left before the start of the new season, against Valarenga in Oslo and at home to Lazio.

The first competitive game is the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round on August 12 or 13. The second leg is on August 26 or 27. The draw is being made in Nyon at 11am today.

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