Fernando Torres feeling freedom at new club

Sep 13 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

FERNANDO TORRES feels “liberated” by life at Liverpool in a Premier League he believes is suited to his style of football.

The club record signing, who scored for Spain last night, has proved a success during the early stages of his Anfield career since arriving from Atletico Madrid for £18million in the summer. Torres has netted three times in four league games, including a spectacular debut strike against Chelsea, to help Liverpool to the top of the table.

And the Spaniard reckons there will be even more to come once he’s fully settled at his new home.

“I feel liberated and am enjoying myself like when I first arrived at Atletico,” said Torres. “I did not expect to receive so much help with settling in.

“Everything is working out fine, though I am still quite a way off from completely settling in. We are finding our feet; looking for a house, for a car – though the goals and victories make everything a lot easier.

Torres added: “At Atletico I was more involved in the middle of the park and I had to drop deep to look for the ball before even thinking of attacking the rival's box.

“At Liverpool we have players in the middle of the park who take care of that job, because here each player has a defined role.

“Maybe that is one of the reasons why playing football in England benefits my game. We play a more direct football, it is also quick with plenty of counter-attacks and you also have extra support from people making late runs.”

Meanwhile, chief executive Rick Parry has revealed Liverpool and Manchester United aren’t the only Premier League teams to reject plans for FA Cup winners to get a Champions League spot.

UEFA president Michel Platini is behind the proposal, which would see only the top three from the league enter Europe's premier competition.

After a meeting of Europe's top clubs on Tuesday, it was reported that Manchester United and Liverpool formally opposed the plans.

But Parry yesterday said: “Contrary to the claim only Liverpool and Manchester United oppose this in England, all the Premier League clubs at the UEFA meeting did so, and this position is supported by the Premier League itself.

“It's not a question of self-interest by the big clubs, because if you look at the recent FA Cup winners, all were in the top four. It's just more of a lottery in the cup.

“There's a strong feeling the Champions League place should be based on Premier League performance.

“Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Newcastle all feel the same way.”

Liverpool are hopeful of agreeing a period of ‘gardening leave’ with Pako Ayesteran to prevent the ex-assistant manager from joining Chelsea or Manchester United.

Ayesteran is in the process of departing the club, and Liverpool have been in talks to establish whether the Spaniard will have the right to join another club this season when his period on Merseyside ends.

Benitez is keen to ensure his former number two does not join a Premiership club in the near future, given the inside information Ayesteran has had access to during his Anfield career.

Academy midfielder Jimmy Ryan has extended his loan spell at Coca-League Two side Shrewsbury Town for a further month.

The youngster has made three appearances so far for the Shrews since signing for them on a temporary basis at the start of the season.