The intense pressure that comes with being Liverpools
record signing may have claimed plenty of victims, but Fernando
Torres seemed only too happy to raise expectations yesterday, the
Spain striker boldly announcing that he could be the man finally to
end the clubs long wait for the league title.
Having signed a six-year contract worth £90,000 a week hours after
flying in from Madrid, Torres was presented amid much fanfare at
Anfield and spoke of his desire to follow in the footsteps of such
legendary figures as Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.
Benítez is also in the hunt for a new winger, possibly two, and the
indications from Portugal last night were that Ricardo Quaresma, of
FC Porto, could fit the bill. Liverpool are said to have had a
£13.5 million bid for the 23-year-old Portugal winger turned
playmaker rejected, although a slightly improved offer could be
enough to persuade the Portuguese club to sell.
Alessandro Mancini, of AS Roma, and Yossi Benayoun, the West Ham
United midfield player, are also thought to be targets, while the
manager is also hoping to force through a deal for Gabriel Heinze,
the Argentina defender, even though Manchester United appear
reluctant to sell him to their fiercest rivals.
Yesterday was all about Torres, though, and the 23-year-old forward
is adamant that he can succeed where others such as Cissé, Stan
Collymore and Fernando Morientes have failed.
Im convinced its the right decision and hopefully this will be
the year where things happen quickly and we win trophies and things
turn out well personally for me, Torres, whose sale sparked
demonstrations by angry supporters in Madrid, said.
Im aware that the expectations are really high and that people
are very keen to see me score lots of goals, but Im just as keen
to fulfil all their hopes and desires and Im confident that I will
have the necessary ammunition. Im playing in a top side and that
gives me the confidence to be positive about the challenge.
