Barcelona Real threat to Euro ambitions – Torres

Jan 8 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

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FERNANDO TORRES believes Barcelona and not Real Madrid pose the biggest threat to Liverpool’s Champions League dream.

And the striker admits that Rafael Benitez’s current squad will “never be forgotten” if they manage to end the club’s 19-year wait for the championship this season.

The Anfield outfit have been drawn to face Spanish giants Real in the Champions League first knockout round next month.

Between them, the two clubs have won the European Cup 14 times, Real with a record nine triumphs and Liverpool with five.

It gives Torres another chance to return to his home city after injury ruled him out of both Champions League group games against former club Atletico Madrid earlier in the campaign.

And while the 24-year-old expects a tough encounter against the Bernabeu outfit, Torres has pinpointed Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona as favourites to lift the trophy in Rome in May.

“We will have to see how we are in February in the build up to the game and what sort of form Real are in coming into,” says Torres. “On the face of things, Real Madrid are a huge team. They are always in contention in European competition and there in no reason why this year should be any different.

“But over the last few years in Europe we have proven to be a tough ask for any rival. No-one likes to come up against us because of the way we are able to control games.

“When you consider the fact that the second leg is at Anfield it is a great draw for the spectators and should produce two great games. There are other interesting draws, but I think Real Madrid versus Liverpool takes top billing.

“But Barcelona are the best team in Europe without a doubt. I think that when you look at the way they approach each game and set out to win along with the amount of chances that they are creating they are in great form.

“The thing about this Barcelona is that they do not settle for what they have they are always looking for more. They just don’t seem to be capable of having a dip in form, in fact they look as if they are going to keep on improving.”

Torres has described 2008 as “a year to remember” after ending his record-breaking debut season at Liverpool by scoring the winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final against Germany.

But the 24-year-old has lamented the failure to land any honours at Anfield.