Source: Daily_Mail
Torres ready to quit Liverpool: Dismal season forces striker to ponder future
Anfield exit: Fernando Torres says Liverpool have to buy to be contenders[LNB]Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has withdrawn his 'guarantee' of a top-four finish this season as he fights to keep his job at Anfield - and hang on to star striker Fernando Torres.[LNB] Benitez begins a crucial week against Portsmouth tomorrow, with growing boardroom disenchantment about a dismal campaign which has seen the club fail to mount a Premier League title challenge and get knocked out of the Champions League group stages.[LNB] Now, in an interview in his native Spain, Torres has demanded that the financially strapped club sign five new players in the summer, hinting that failure to challenge for the biggest prizes will force him to consider his future at Anfield.[LNB] Torres told Spanish newspaper AS yesterday: 'The really important thing is that the club make a big effort and bring in important players, who will improve the quality of the squad.[LNB] 'We need four or five top-class players to compete, who will make us grit our teeth and do everything we can to try to keep our places.[LNB] 'Without reinforcements next year we will once again be fighting to be fourth. I want to fight next year to win the Premier League, to win the Champions League or the Europa League, but for this there have to be signings.'[LNB]Questioned about his future, Torres said: 'I have three more years onmy contract. I owe Liverpool many things and I'm very happy here. Thefans have treated me like one of their own, but I'm going to thinkabout my future. The club deserve to get back to winning [trophies] butright now that is far off. The fans are worried about players leaving.'[LNB] Lille interest: Fernando Torres wants to pay in the Champions League[LNB] Liverpool face Portsmouth, Lille and Manchester United this week and Benitez's bold statement in December that he would 'guarantee we finish in the top four' is in danger of backfiring on the Spaniard. Liverpool are currently outside a Champions League berth after losing to Wigan and last night back-tracking Benitez said: 'I will have to guarantee now that we will work as hard as we did in our last game against Lille.[LNB] 'It doesn't matter what people think about what I said before. The main thing is that we have to perform, win games, and try to be in the top four.'[LNB] That is the bare minimum for Torres, who is wanted by Manchester City and Barcelona. Benitez fears he may be sacked in the summer. He needs to win Liverpool's next three games to keep the club's season alive, including overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Lille on Thursday to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.[LNB] Under pressure: Liverpool's manager Rafa Benitez[LNB] Questioned about his future, Benitez said: 'We are already working, preparing things for next year. So, hopefully, it will be okay.'[LNB] But failure to finish in the top four would have huge financial implications for the club and would almost certainly mean they cannot bring in the top players requested by Torres.[LNB] Equally worryingly is the continued disappointing form of captain Steve Gerrard, so often the team's talisman. He has not been exempt from criticism inside Anfield after falling behind his normal high standards for most of the season.[LNB] Defender Daniel Agger is among those honest enough to accept the club could now finish outside a Champions League spot. He said: 'The fans have a right to expect Liverpool to be in the top four. A big club like Liverpool should be in the top four every year. As long as we have a chance we have to keep believing.' [LNB] LIVERPOOL FC: All the latest news from across the webLiverpool's dismal defeat at Wigan a 'one-off', insists Dirk Kuyt United winger Ryan Giggs back 'to destroy Liverpool's title record' [LNB] [LNB]
