Fernando Torres believes Barcelona and not Real Madrid pose the biggest threat to Liverpool’s Champions League dream.
And the striker admits that Rafael Benitez’s current squad will “never be forgotten” if they manage to end the club’s 19-year wait for the championship this season.
The Anfield outfit have been drawn to face Spanish giants Real in the Champions League first knockout round next month.
Between them, the two clubs have won the European Cup 14 times, Real with a record nine triumphs and Liverpool with five.
It gives Torres another chance to return to his home city after injury ruled him out of both Champions League group games against former club Atletico Madrid earlier in the campaign.
And while the 24-year-old expects a tough encounter against the Bernabeu outfit, Torres has pinpointed Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona as favourites to lift the trophy in Rome in May.
“We will have to see how we are in February in the build-up to the game and what sort of form Real are in coming into,” says Torres.
“On the face of things, Real Madrid are a huge team. They are always in contention in European competition and there in 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.
“But Barcelona are the best team in Europe without a doubt. I think that when you look at the way they approach each game and set out to win along with the amount of chances that they are creating they are in great form.
“The thing about this Barcelona is that they do not settle for what they have they are always looking for more. They just don’t seem to be capable of having a dip in form, in fact they look as if they are going to keep on improving.”
Torres has described 2008 as “a year to remember” after ending his record-breaking debut season at Liverpool by scoring the winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final against Germany.
But the 24-year-old has lamented the failure to land any honours at Anfield.
“It has been a year to remember,” says Torres. “For the Spanish players here at Liverpool, the win at Euro 2008 did not compensate for the fact that 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.”
As well as reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, Liverpool have an FA Cup fourth round derby against Everton on the horizon and are three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
And Torres reckons the current squad will etch their names into Anfield folklore if they claim the club’s first league title since 1990.
“We have a real chance of winning things this season,” says the Spaniard. “A Benitez team is never just about one player but about the group. We have a solid unit that knows how to win games playing our way.
“We have beaten the big teams without me and on occasion without Gerrard, like the game against Manchester United. I think that was a positive for the team as a whole, it illustrated that importance of every player in the squad.
“Everyone is important here, we are working towards the same goal of ensuring that Liverpool win the Premier League. If we are able to achieve this it will have been a joint effort no one player will take the most credit. It is a group effort.”
Torres adds: “Having won the European Championships with Spain I have experienced what it is like to be part of a generation of players that will never be forgotten.
“I think that the same could be said of this Liverpool team if we can win the League. If we can do it we will be remembered for many years in the hearts of Liverpool fans.”
And the striker admits that Rafael Benitez’s current squad will “never be forgotten” if they manage to end the club’s 19-year wait for the championship this season.
The Anfield outfit have been drawn to face Spanish giants Real in the Champions League first knockout round next month.
Between them, the two clubs have won the European Cup 14 times, Real with a record nine triumphs and Liverpool with five.
It gives Torres another chance to return to his home city after injury ruled him out of both Champions League group games against former club Atletico Madrid earlier in the campaign.
And while the 24-year-old expects a tough encounter against the Bernabeu outfit, Torres has pinpointed Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona as favourites to lift the trophy in Rome in May.
“We will have to see how we are in February in the build-up to the game and what sort of form Real are in coming into,” says Torres.
“On the face of things, Real Madrid are a huge team. They are always in contention in European competition and there in 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.
“But Barcelona are the best team in Europe without a doubt. I think that when you look at the way they approach each game and set out to win along with the amount of chances that they are creating they are in great form.
“The thing about this Barcelona is that they do not settle for what they have they are always looking for more. They just don’t seem to be capable of having a dip in form, in fact they look as if they are going to keep on improving.”
Torres has described 2008 as “a year to remember” after ending his record-breaking debut season at Liverpool by scoring the winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final against Germany.
But the 24-year-old has lamented the failure to land any honours at Anfield.
“It has been a year to remember,” says Torres. “For the Spanish players here at Liverpool, the win at Euro 2008 did not compensate for the fact that 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.”
As well as reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, Liverpool have an FA Cup fourth round derby against Everton on the horizon and are three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
And Torres reckons the current squad will etch their names into Anfield folklore if they claim the club’s first league title since 1990.
“We have a real chance of winning things this season,” says the Spaniard. “A Benitez team is never just about one player but about the group. We have a solid unit that knows how to win games playing our way.
“We have beaten the big teams without me and on occasion without Gerrard, like the game against Manchester United. I think that was a positive for the team as a whole, it illustrated that importance of every player in the squad.
“Everyone is important here, we are working towards the same goal of ensuring that Liverpool win the Premier League. If we are able to achieve this it will have been a joint effort no one player will take the most credit. It is a group effort.”
Torres adds: “Having won the European Championships with Spain I have experienced what it is like to be part of a generation of players that will never be forgotten.
“I think that the same could be said of this Liverpool team if we can win the League. If we can do it we will be remembered for many years in the hearts of Liverpool fans.”
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