Liverpool Football Club News

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• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

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Torres at odds with Benitez

14 Jan 2009 - 08:01:03

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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has declined to endorse manager Rafael Benitez's claim that title rivals Manchester United are given preferential treatment from referees and the Football Association.

Benitez launched a stinging attack on Sir Alex Ferguson last week after accusing his United counterpart of failing to take on board the FA's Respect campaign.

The Spaniard was unhappy at Ferguson's complaints about his club's fixture list and went on to suggest that United benefited from having their chief executive David Gill on the FA board.

But despite backing his manager's right to speak out, Torres doesn't believe that United are necessarily given an easier ride.

"I think when you win a tournament like the Premier League you deserve to win. I don't think you win the league because of a referee or some decision," said the Spain striker.

"He (Benitez) has been here six years and he feels these things but I don't feel it.

"He thinks that he has to say those things about Ferguson because he thinks that, I don't know why, but he has all our support.

"We are with our manager if he thinks we are not in the same position as Man U with some things."

Meanwhile, Torres claims winning the Premier League is Liverpool's priority this season.

The Reds have not be crowed champions for almost 20 years despite plenty of success in other competitions.

"From the first day I arrived in Liverpool I knew how important it is to win the Premier League for Liverpool fans," he continued.

"You never know when you will have another opportunity and we are in a good position.

"We have players who will have won all the trophies apart from the Premier League - they will have won the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Carling Cup and the UEFA Cup and not too many players can say that.

"We want to win the Premier League even more for people like Stevie (Gerrard), Carra (Jamie Carragher) and (assistant manager) Sammy Lee."