Torres thanks Benitez

Star striker admits gratitude to manager

Last updated: 1st July 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Torres thanks Benitez

Torres: Reds star

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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has reiterated his gratitude to manager Rafa Benitez for helping him develop as a player.

The Reds spent a club-record fee to bring the former Atletico Madrid player to Anfield in 2007 and the move has proved money well spent.

Spain international Torres netted 33 times in his debut season and added an additional 17 in the last campaign, despite struggling with a succession of injuries.

The 25-year-old has credited Benitez in the past for his development and he has again poured praise on his boss.

"Rafa concentrates on the professional side of things," said Torres, who signed an improved contract in May.

Minor detail

"He tries to improve every minor detail and movement you carry out during the course of a game, and he also explains the reasons behind his decisions.

"He's obsessed that you understand what you are doing and why. He's not happy that you do things just because he tells you that something has to be done.

"He says, 'Do it like this. Do you understand why you are being told to do so? No? We'll go through it again then'.

"I remember when I signed for the club people were questioning me as a goalscorer. I received criticism because I wasn't getting goals.

"The first thing he told me was that I was signed to score goals. Benitez is adamant that I live in the area because that's where you get goals.

"That was the first thing he told me, the wing is for the wingers, and that the striker should be focused on the two rival centre-backs."