Fernando Torres has welcomed back Liverpool to Europe’s elite competition and outlined just how big a threat his former employers could pose next season.
The Spaniard came up against the Reds in Wednesday night’s Audi Cup final, in which his Atletico Madrid team emerged as winners after a decisive penalty shootout.
El Niño is hopeful his old side can overcome its upcoming Champions League playoff clash and once again be competing with the continent’s top clubs.
“It’s really exciting that Liverpool are back in the Champions League and hopefully they can get through in these two games they have to play. It’s nice for football in general to have Liverpool back in the Champions League and who knows, we could face each other,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“Last season was a very good season with some ups and downs, but I think they showed they can be a great team. They are one more year together and if they can keep all of their players everybody is aware of what they can do and hopefully they can keep on improving and do better than last season.”
“When you play against these top teams in European competition you need to be consistent and I think they are doing better and better every year, and if they can do it a little bit better this season they can do great things.”
A remarkable record saw Torres cherished by Reds during his three-and-a-half years at the club and hailed as one of the deadliest strikers to have worn the Liverpool shirt.
The 33-year-old scored 81 goals in 142 appearances for the Reds and played a prominent role in the standout Rafa Benitez Liverpool team that fell just short of winning the Premier League title in the 2008/2009 campaign.
Though he broke hearts in 2011 by moving to Chelsea, any anger amongst fans seems to have died down since then with many once again finding themselves able to appreciate just what a star he was on Merseyside.
A meeting with the former No.9’s Atletico at Anfield in the Champions League would be a truly special moment.
SEE MORE:
(Video) Stunning Danny Ward save goes viral; goalkeeper stars for Liverpool