Torres Thanks Benítez for Making Him a Better Player

As Rafael Benítez continues to manoeuvre for a contract extension, the Liverpool manager today received a timely endorsement from Fernando Torres. The Spain striker thanked Benítez for making him a better player, insisting he would not have become so deadly in front of goal had he not moved to Anfield from Atletico Madrid.

"Rafa was looking for a striker with my characteristics — someone quick who could surprise defenders and get behind them. But I had to learn too," Torres told FourFourTwo magazine. "For a lot of coaches the tactical side of the game doesn't matter that much but for Rafa it is fundamental; he is conscious of the way we set up, the movement, the organization. I've learnt a lot. It's been a real pleasure for me to work with Rafa. At Atletico I played more on instinct, doing my own thing; here I have to learn about movement and positioning, about the team."

Since moving to Liverpool in July 2007, Torres has scored 42 goals in 70 appearances, been nominated for the Ballon d'Or and having helped Spain to victory at Euro2008, become recognised as one of the best forwards in the worlds. It seems remarkable, then, that some observers doubted Benítez's decision to pay more than £20m for the 24-year-old two seasons ago.

But by Torres' own admission, he is not the same player he was in Madrid where his goal-scoring record was less spectacular.

"I play as a number nine up alongside the center-backs. If I played there in Spain, maybe it wouldn't suit me. I would hardly see the ball, I would feel like I wasn't in the game," he said. "But it is so quick in England, you know you're always going to get the chance to run in behind the defenders.

"Liverpool's game is based on the team, on strategy; it's a very strong, well-organized team. Hitting other teams on the counter-attack with space in front of us suits me perfectly."