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Fernando Torres Believes It Is 'Fundamental' Liverpool Find New Owners To Make Club 'Competitive' Again
Anfield needs new era...
01-Sep-2010 2:20:00 PM
By Zack Wilson
Liverpool striker Fernando Torres believes that finding new owners as soon as possible is the best way forward for the Anfield club.
The Reds have been hampered by off-field issues for a while, with unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett still trying to find a buyer for the club.
Liverpool did not enjoy a successful campaign last season, finishing a disappointing seventh in the Premier League, and Torres is hopeful that a change of ownership would allow the club to recapture some of its lost glory under the guidance of new manager Roy Hodgson.
"It is fundamental new owners arrive that can make us a competitive side," he told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
"We're not that far behind. We had an appalling season last time around, but the year before we were just four points from Manchester United.
"Hopefully we can find a consortium that buys the club and can make Liverpool able to fight financially with Chelsea and United.
"Then let's see what we're capable of doing this season. Liverpool kept Steven Gerrard which is fundamental. It's still a great team.
"It's a delicate situation because we are not in the Champions League, but it is still the biggest club in England and to play at Anfield every week is a privilege.
"That's how I see it. I like to have targets, and to be able to help bring Liverpool back where they deserve is a beautiful target.
"It is always complicated when you start with a new manager and new players, but we'll see what we are capable of."
Torres also confirmed that there had been approaches from other clubs to Liverpool this season about acquiring his services.
All enquiries were met with a negative response, however, and the striker is now looking forward to the future at Anfield.
"The club received offers and decided to reject them," he added.
"That's where it ends. Everyone thought I was leaving for Spain during the World Cup when there was nothing in it.
"I said the day I returned to train that my future was at Liverpool. I have a contract until 2013.
"This year our target has to be the top four. Like every team-mate, we all want to improve and win titles and for that it is fundamental we get new owners."
The Reds have been hampered by off-field issues for a while, with unpopular American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett still trying to find a buyer for the club.
Liverpool did not enjoy a successful campaign last season, finishing a disappointing seventh in the Premier League, and Torres is hopeful that a change of ownership would allow the club to recapture some of its lost glory under the guidance of new manager Roy Hodgson.
"It is fundamental new owners arrive that can make us a competitive side," he told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
"We're not that far behind. We had an appalling season last time around, but the year before we were just four points from Manchester United.
"Hopefully we can find a consortium that buys the club and can make Liverpool able to fight financially with Chelsea and United.
"Then let's see what we're capable of doing this season. Liverpool kept Steven Gerrard which is fundamental. It's still a great team.
"It's a delicate situation because we are not in the Champions League, but it is still the biggest club in England and to play at Anfield every week is a privilege.
"That's how I see it. I like to have targets, and to be able to help bring Liverpool back where they deserve is a beautiful target.
"It is always complicated when you start with a new manager and new players, but we'll see what we are capable of."
Torres also confirmed that there had been approaches from other clubs to Liverpool this season about acquiring his services.
All enquiries were met with a negative response, however, and the striker is now looking forward to the future at Anfield.
"The club received offers and decided to reject them," he added.
"That's where it ends. Everyone thought I was leaving for Spain during the World Cup when there was nothing in it.
"I said the day I returned to train that my future was at Liverpool. I have a contract until 2013.
"This year our target has to be the top four. Like every team-mate, we all want to improve and win titles and for that it is fundamental we get new owners."
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