He will now take a well earned break but he is already relishing the chance to return to Merseyside for pre-season later this month.

Torres admits he is happier both on and off the pitch since making the switch from Atletico in 2007.

“The way I view things has changed a lot in the last two years,” he revealed.

“Since I joined Liverpool I have enjoyed my time a lot more.

“I am no longer carrying all the responsibility I shouldered from my time at Atletico Madrid.

“I was the captain and a supporter at the same time, and the combination was unbearable.

“In Liverpool my quality of life has improved. I can do things here that would be unthinkable in Madrid.

“It was as if having come from Madrid meant that I would have everything I needed to be happy, but was nothing like that.

“Madrid was killing me. I couldn’t go to the cinema, shopping; the team weren’t doing well, it was a constant anguish.

“Here it’s the opposite. You get used to winning, you can go out and about, the people on the street respect your privacy.”

Meanwhile, Argentine winger Sebastian Leto has left Liverpool to join Greek side Panathinaikos.

Leto impressed during a season-long loan at Olympiakos.

However, they could not agree a deal and that allowed Panathinaikos to sneak in to seal the switch

The 22-year-old made just four appearances for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield in 2007.