0408: Torres: I hope that's the first of many
0308: Benitez thrilled by Torres strike
0308: First for Torres in Reds win


 

AUGUST 4
Torres: I hope that's the first of many

By Paul Eaton in Rotterdam - LFC Official Website

Fernando Torres reflected on his first goal for the Reds on Friday night and declared: "I hope that's the first of many."

The club's record signing got off the mark in Liverpool colours after just 12 minutes of the 2-0 victory over Shanghai Shenhua as Rafael Benitez's side put themselves in pole position to win the Port of Rotterdam tournament.

Feyenoord drew 0-0 with Porto in the second match of the evening, meaning the Reds will land the trophy if they avoid defeat to their Dutch hosts tomorrow night.

And with the new campaign now just a week away, Torres is confident his goalscoring performance in the De Kuip stadium represents a sign of things to come from him when the real action begins.

Speaking exclusively to liverpoolfc.tv, Torres said: "I'm very pleased to have scored my first goal. I'm happy with that and with the victory for the team. I hope that it will be the first of many.

"Right now I'm going to enjoy this moment. I intend to score lots of goals and when the league starts that's where they will be the most important."

Torres' breakthrough goal came after he latched onto a clever pass from Yossi Benayoun before clipping the ball over the advancing 'keeper, and he admits his adptation to life at Anfield is being made easier by the quality of players at the club.

"It's good with my teammates," he added. "I'm enjoying everything about this great club and with the great players it has I can learn a lot and have been since my very first day. It's all new for me but I'm learning more and adapting to playing in the team.

"Some things are made easier in one way because everyone is doing everything they can and everything possible in order for me to adapt and settle in quickly. It's the same both on and off the pitch, they are all supporting me and giving me a hand and I'm so lucky because with people like that it's much easier."

With the new season now just seven days away Torres is hoping the final week's training can help ensure the Reds make a statement of intent from the opening day of the campaign.

"I know that in this competition the four top teams are all capable of taking the Premiership so every point is important and we must have that attitude from the start," he said.

"The truth is I'm so happy that I came here. Every day that goes by I'm learning more and more about the special story and history of this great club and how much it means to the fans. They are so passionate and have high expectations, so obviously I want to give everything I can to live up to those expectations.

"I can promise to give everything. This is one of the greatest clubs in the world and I want to learn and I want to win. It will without doubt take a lot of work but I will do everything that I can."

AUGUST 3
Benitez thrilled by Torres strike

TEAMtalk

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was delighted that record signing Fernando Torres got himself on the goal trail against Shanghai Shenhau.

The £20million striker scored after just 13 minutes with a clever chip to send Liverpool on the way to a 2-0 victory over the Chinese side in the opening match of the Rotterdam tournament at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium.

Substitute Steven Gerrard bagged the second on 64 minutes in what was Liverpool's penultimate pre-season friendly. They face the host club on Sunday.

Benitez said: "Getting off the mark will give Torres a lot of confidence heading into the new season.

"I was very pleased with Fernando, it was very important for him to score his first goal for Liverpool. He has had chances in every game he has played in pre-season, and for him to get this first goal is great for his confidence.

"I remember when Peter Crouch first joined us and everyone was asking when he was going to score. Torres has now got that and that takes the pressure off."

Benitez added: "Both goals were really good and I was very pleased with the performance of my players. I thought Emiliano Insua and Sebastian Leto did very well down the left, they had a very good understanding and gave us great balance.

"It is good for us to give all of the squad a game. Javier Mascherano played his first game back, which was important. We have got great competition in all places - that's very good for me as a manager."

AUGUST 3
First for Torres in Reds win

By Mark Buckingham - Sky Sports

Fernando Torres scored his first goal for Liverpool in the 2-0 win over Shanghai Shenhua.

The club's record signing put The Reds ahead in the Port of Rotterdam tournament opener before Steven Gerrard curled in a fine second goal.

Though chances were at a premium at Feyenoord's De Kuip stadium, Liverpool took the lead with their first real opportunity on 13 minutes.

Yossi Benayoun - another new signing for Liverpool - threaded through a clever pass for Torres, who produced a cute finish over the Shanghai keeper.

Torres wanted a penalty after half-an-hour after taking a tumble in the box before strike partner Peter Crouch's weak chip was easily saved.

Liverpool were given a scare before the break when Blanco slipped through, but his shot clipped the legs of keeper David Martin.

In the second half, Gerrard climbed off the bench to add a touch of class to a laboured contest when he worked room for a shot and curled his effort inside the far post from 20 yards.

Former Feyenoord striker Dirk Kuyt then slipped a pass through for Benayoun, but the Israeli was closed down as he scented a goal.

Rafa Benitez's men will face tournament hosts Feyenoord in their second game of the competition on Sunday.