Torres signs contract extension with Liverpool

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has signed a new contract at Anfield.

The 25-year-old agreed terms on the new deal back in May and has now put pen to paper to give the club the perfect boost ahead of their opening game of the season at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Torres is now contracted to Liverpool until 2013 with an option to extend the deal by a further year, and will earn £110,000-a-week.

The Spain international joins Liverpool's other star players, along with manager Rafael Benitez, in committing his long-term future to the club.

Benitez said: "Fernando is one of the best strikers in the game 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, meanwhile, has insisted Liverpool have nothing to fear from their title rivals, and it is games against sides such as Tottenham which will decide their fate this season.

Much like last season, when Liverpool had an excellent record against the other top four clubs, the Reds are wary of slipping up against other sides in the Premier League.

"We have no problem beating Manchester United or Chelsea, but it is games like Sunday's at Tottenham where we need to show our real title intentions," Torres said.

"Tottenham is not an easy place to go but these are games we must be winning if this is finally to be our year. We need to turn draws into wins at places like White Hart Lane. If we can win these sorts of games two or three times a season, that will be enough for the title.

"I am not thinking we can win the title - I am thinking we have to win the title. We came so close last year but for many of the players it was their first time experiencing the pressure of a Premier League title race.

"We don't need to improve a lot on last season to win, there is only a slight improvement needed to give the fans and players the title they have wanted for so many years.

"This is the best Liverpool team there has been in years - that is what many of the experienced players are saying. Now is our time - second best is just not going to cut it with me anymore."