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Torres bemoans lack of funds
20:45, Dec 22 2009
Fernando Torres has underlined the bleak future facing Liverpool by admitting the club cannot afford to buy top-class players in the January transfer window.
The Spain striker, on whom Liverpool have relied heavily since he moved from Atletico Madrid in 2007, conceded Liverpool need new players and insisted that replacing manager Rafael Benitez would not solve their current predicament.
Torres, speaking in Zurich after being named part of FIFA's world XI, said: "Obviously we need players. If we can bring quality players it should be really positive for us, but I think the situation is really difficult because I think we don't have money to bring in the best players."
The Reds are eighth in the Premier League, their American owners are under pressure to cut their £240million debt, and they are out of the Champions League.
They are also facing a £20million cut in income if they fail to qualify for the Champions League next season - and they are eight points away from fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Torres added: "It's a difficult situation but every top team in the world goes sometimes through a bad situation like Liverpool now.
"Like every top team in the world, Liverpool will get over the situation.
"I have confidence in myself and my team. I know we are good enough. We were playing really well last season with the same team. We have to just recover the mentality and the confidence in ourselves and everything will be different."
Benitez's position has come under some scrutiny even though it is thought his job is safe until the end of the season - in the current circumstances owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks would struggle to afford to sack him and appoint a new manager.
Torres - the subject of speculation that Manchester City may bid for him in the January window - said the players should take responsibility for their situation rather than Benitez. He added: "I think sacking the manager is not a solution."
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