Torres commits to Liverpool

(GSM) – Spain and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has stated that he intends to stay at Merseyside after recent reports suggested otherwise.

Spanish reports had hinted earlier this week that the former Altetico Madrid striker could move on unless Liverpool made key signings this summer.

But Torres, who has three years left on his contract, has dismissed speculation regarding his future.

“My place is here at Liverpool, and in England,” Torres said on his web site.

Torres still believes that his side can clinch the final Champions League qualifying spot while acknowledging that the Reds needed to bolster their squad to stay in contention for Champions League football.

“We need four more top players to be really competitive, players who are better than all of us who are here at the moment, and whose arrival will make the rest work that extra bit harder,” Torres said in comments posted late Friday .

Torres, said his plans for next season included “challenging for the Premier League title and the Champions League or Europa League.”

More immediately, Torres said his side had to focus on overcoming Benfica in the Europa League quarterfinals.

Liverpool, who won Europe’s second-tier competition in 2001, travel to Lisbon for the first leg of round of 16 on April 1.

“We have to beat Benfica, a team with plenty of tradition,” Torres said. “It’s going to be a very tough tie as they have a great team, with great players.”