Liverpool have secured the future of their best player with the news that Fernando Torres has signed a new contract. Torres is now contracted to the Anfield club until 2013 with the option of an extra year if desired.
It will be welcome news to Rafael Benitez who will want to create a team that will win the Premier League next year. The length and depth of his feud with Sir Alex Ferguson has been shown on many occasions this season with the odd rant or two but Rafa will know that this is the first building block to success.
Torres joined Liverpool from Athletico Madrid for £20 million in July 2007. Since this point he has become one of the best strikers in Europe and probably doubled in value making him one of Liverpool’s most potent attacking threats and one of the most feared strikers in Europe.
The combination of Torres and Steven Gerrard has been more than enough to break through the defences of many teams and the news of a lengthened contract shows the ambition that is building inside Liverpool’s Spanish gaffer.
Benitez said: “We’ve made huge progress this season and now we need to take the next step. We are building something special here and securing such important players as Fernando on long-term deals means we can move forward with confidence. He has shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future to the club. He’s a special talent, but still has the hunger to improve his game.”
Liverpool have just hard arguably their best season since the Premier League started in 1993. Benitez puts a lot of the fact they didn’t push Manchester United closer down to the fact that for a lot of games Torres was not fully fit and could not play a part.
Well with his future secured and with his fitness now properly sorted it out it is likely that Torres could well end up as the best striker in the Premier League next season. A lot depends on the work that Benitez does in the transfer window as he will need to bring in some big names as well as improving the fringes of the squad.
It was the depth of Liverpool’s squad that cost them at crucial times last season. Most notably was the 4-4 draw the developed against Arsenal at Anfield, a match that Liverpool should probably have won at a canter.
However, the spine of the side is very good. The keeper and the defence have played together for a long time and Liverpool have one of the best midfield players in the world making things tick in the middle of the pitch. Rafa would do well to mould the rest of the team around Gerrard and Torres and now he has no excuses for not propelling Liverpool to success.
Torres really needs a high class player beside him in the attack and if Liverpool make reality of the David Villa from Valencia rumours then they could give anyone a run for their money next season.
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