FERNANDO TORRES has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract at  Anfield.

The Spanish striker, who penned a six-year deal on his arrival in 2007, has agreed improved  terms and an extended deal which ties him to the club for a further year until 2014.

Torres’s fresh package is a reward for the impressive start he has made to his time in England  having netted 50 goals in his first two seasons for Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: “Fernando is one of the best strikers in the game today  and, at his age, can only get better. 

“Every major side would want him in their team, but he has shown how much he wants to  achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future to the club. He’s a special talent, but still  has the hunger to improve his game.”

Torres joins Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard and Benitez in agreeing new deals at  Anfield over the past two months. 

Benitez added: “We’ve made huge progress this season and now we need to take the next  step. We are building something special here and securing such important players on long-term  deals means we can move forward with confidence.

“This sends out a very positive message to everyone connected with the club.”

Another player who has reiterated his desire to remain at Anfield is Javier Mascherano, who  claims that a move to the newly-crowned European champions does not appeal to him.

Barcelona, who won their third European Cup on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 victory  over Manchester United in Rome, had been linked with a move for the Argentina skipper but the  24-year-old insists he does not know of any interest from the Catalan giants.

He said: “I still have three years on my contract with Liverpool and I am happy there.

“I am comfortable and thinking only of Liverpool. I don’t know anything about an approach from  Barcelona or any other club.”

Barcelona’s win over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side – who equalled Liverpool’s record of 18 League  titles this season – completed a double for rookie coach Pep Guardiola in his debut season at  the Nou Camp having also clinched top spot in La Liga.