Source: Daily_Mail
Torres wants World Cup final showdown against Liverpool team-mate Gerrard
Fernando Torres has declared that he wants to face club-mate Steven Gerrard in next summer's World Cup final.
Torres and Gerrard have struck up a special playing partnership at Liverpool, and have become close friends. Now the Spain international dreams of facing the England midfielder in next summer's final in South Africa.
Torres said: 'We have a fantastic relationship and it's amazing to play alongside someone like Stevie.
'He has quality and pace and is the greatest player I've ever played with. I hope to play with him for many years.
'From my first day he was asking if I needed anything and he's been a great support to me.
'Now I want to play against Stevie in the World Cup final. England against Spain in the final would be special.
'If I could play against a friend like him that would be great, because whatever happens one of us will be a winner.'
Torres goes into tomorrow's clash with West Ham admitting that he has not been at his best this season. But the striker maintains he is not in need of a rest after his summer exertions in the Confederation Cup.
Torres scored 17 goals in an injury-hit season last term, that followed his heroics in Spain's Euro 2008 triumph. This season Torres has hit three goals in six appearances, meaning he now has 53 strikes in 90 games for the club.
But he knows that his form has been patchy, and he wants to put that right. Torres explained:
'It was a really long season for me last time with so many games for Liverpool and then playing for Spain in the Confederations Cup.
'I played a lot of minutes and I was a little bit tired. I haven't been at my best so far this season but I feel like I'm getting better.
'I'm focused on trying to get back to 100 per cent as soon as possible and I'm ready to play in every game.
' We have a lot of things to achieve for Liverpool this season and I want to stay fit. We have a lot of games coming up and then the World Cup at the end of the season.'
Torres, now in his third season with the club, admits the lack of trophies so far is a growing concern for him. He said:
'I've already had some special moments in my career like winning the European Championships with Spain. After the Euros it was very special to go home because people treated us as heroes.
'I want to experience things like that here. I hope to stay at this club for a long time and my target is to be remembered here as one of the top players.
'I could feel from the first day I arrived here that the main thing was the Premier League, not the Champions League.
'I know how important the league is to the fans and to be honest I would prefer to win the Premier League myself.' He added:
'Twenty years without winning it is a long time.
'I'm sure that day will come and when it does it will be fantastic for the players and the fans.
'I'll give everything to achieve that for the fans. I have to do more things for Liverpool and I know I can improve.
'I hope to come back in 20 years to watch games at Anfield as a supporter. When that happens I hope people will recognise me as a player who played in the team which ended the club's long wait to win the Premier League.'
