Thursday, January 08, 2009

Premier League Is Fernando Torres' Priority After Great 2008


Fernando Torres has described 2008 as “a year to remember” but bemoaned the fact he has yet to win any honours for Liverpool.

The Spanish striker is hopeful the injury problems that plagued him in the back end of last year are now behind him and is looking forward to Liverpool’s mouthwatering meeting with Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

In an interview on Sky TV’s Revista La Liga, Torres also told of his regret at missing out on a reunion with former club Atletico Madrid when he was kept out of Liverpool’s Champions League meetings with the Spanish side by a hamstring strain.

“It has been a year to remember,” said the 24-year-old. “I think that there have been more positives than negatives.

“For the Spanish players here at Liverpool the win at Euro 2008 did not compensate for the fact we did not win any trophies with Liverpool.

“But for our country, and for us as players representing our country, it was something truly unforgettable that is going to stay with me forever.

“It is an honour to represent a club like Liverpool in Europe and we reached the semi final of the Champions League and lost in extra time.

“I have been able to play every weekend and Wednesday at the highest level and have been able to score goals and get global recognition.

“The year has ended with my injury over the last couple of months, but that has been just a blip in a great year.

“I have never played against Atletico – it would have been a great opportunity to play against them so soon after leaving.

“When I left Atletico one of the things that I wanted to happen was that one day I would face my old team in the Champions League, go to the Calderon and acknowledge those fans again and receive them here in England.

“In the end all of those things happened, except I was not able to play, which was a great shame.

“I would have liked to have played in Madrid and at Anfield and to have experienced the game from the inside.

“I suppose you could say that, along with the injury, that was the other negative of the year but maybe we will face them again later in the competition.”

First on the Champions League agenda for Liverpool, though, is that two-legged tie with Real Madrid, and Torres believes the match-up between two of Europe’s most successful clubs will produce a thrilling spectacle.

He added: “We will have to see how we are in February in the build-up to the game and what sort of form they are in coming into the game.

“On the face of things Real Madrid are a huge team. They are always in contention in European competition and there is no reason why this year should be any different.

“But over the last few years in Europe we have proven to be a tough ask for any rival. No-one likes to come up against us because of the way we are able to control games.

“When you consider the fact that the second leg is at Anfield it is a great draw for the spectators and should produce two great games.

“There are other interesting draws, but I think Real Madrid versus Liverpool takes top billing.”

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