Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is worried that striker Fernando Torres may leave the club for greener pastures, should the Reds fail to secure Champions League football for next term.
The Merseysiders woke up on the wrong side of the bed this season, losing to Tottenham Hotspur on day one, and went on to bow out of the Champions League in the group stage, which left them to compete in the Europa League.
And life in the Europa League has not gone as planned either, as they now have a 1-0 deficit against Lille - and need a stage a comeback in the second leg at Anfield to ensure progression in Europe's second tier competition.
To worsen matters, the former Valencia boss has been under the critics' eye for some time now, and also has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks, with Real Madrid being mooted as one possible destination.
In the midst of it all, Reds key hit-man Torres recently suggested that the club must invest ambitiously in the summer if they are to compete for silverware next season.
However, Rafa is now worried as to whether the fan favourite will remain at Anfield next season, should his side fail in its quest to finish in a Champions League spot.
"Finishing fourth in the Premier League would mean a lot to Fernando," Benitez said, according to The Guardian.
"People talk about money with Fernando but I can tell you his main motivation is winning trophies. That is what drives him. That is always the main topic in any discussion between us.
"Fernando's only thought is to be challenging for honours, it's all that concerns him. He wants to be playing in the Champions League," he concluded.
The Merseysiders woke up on the wrong side of the bed this season, losing to Tottenham Hotspur on day one, and went on to bow out of the Champions League in the group stage, which left them to compete in the Europa League.
And life in the Europa League has not gone as planned either, as they now have a 1-0 deficit against Lille - and need a stage a comeback in the second leg at Anfield to ensure progression in Europe's second tier competition.
To worsen matters, the former Valencia boss has been under the critics' eye for some time now, and also has been linked with a move away from the club in recent weeks, with Real Madrid being mooted as one possible destination.
In the midst of it all, Reds key hit-man Torres recently suggested that the club must invest ambitiously in the summer if they are to compete for silverware next season.
However, Rafa is now worried as to whether the fan favourite will remain at Anfield next season, should his side fail in its quest to finish in a Champions League spot.
"Finishing fourth in the Premier League would mean a lot to Fernando," Benitez said, according to The Guardian.
"People talk about money with Fernando but I can tell you his main motivation is winning trophies. That is what drives him. That is always the main topic in any discussion between us.
"Fernando's only thought is to be challenging for honours, it's all that concerns him. He wants to be playing in the Champions League," he concluded.
No comments:
Post a Comment