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    Torres hopes to succeed where Morientes failed


    AFP, LIVERPOOL, England
    Friday, Jul 06, 2007, Page 22

    Fernando Torres believes he can do what fellow countryman Fernando Morientes failed to do and establish himself as an Anfield goalscoring hero after being unveiled as Liverpool's most expensive signing.

    Morientes, who joined the Merseyside club from Real Madrid in January 2005, lasted just 16 months before returning to Spain with Valencia after a disappointing return of eight goals in 41 league outings in England.

    He struggled to adapt to the physical demands of the Premiership yet Torres, who has been handed the famous No. 9 shirt after signing a six-year ¢G90,000-a-week (US$181,000) contract, insisted he could cope with the bruising side of the English game after costing Liverpool ¢G22 million from Atletico Madrid.

    "I don't think adapting to the physical side will be a problem," Torres, scorer of 91 goals in 243 Atletico appearances, said.

    "I've seen Premiership games on television and I know it's harder to get a free kick in England than it is in Spain," he said.

    Torres said he could cope with the pressure of scoring the goals to help his new club sustain a serious title challenge. Despite winning the Champions League in 2005 and reaching the final in May, Liverpool have not been crowned league champions since the 1989-1990 season.

    "I don't have any fear of the responsibilities that lie in front of me at Liverpool," added the 23-year-old Spanish international. "It's not something that worries me. I'm totally aware that the expectations here are extremely high and that people will want me to score lots of goals. I'm confident I can do that," he said.

    "I'm 23 years old and it's a great age to be making a move like this," Torres said.
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