Torres Asks to Leave Liverpool

Liverpool have rejected a written transfer request from Spain international striker Fernando Torres.

The Anfield club have already turned down a bid from Chelsea - thought to be about £35m-40m - for the 26-year-old.

"He's under a long-term contract. We expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool and its fans when he signed the agreement," said the Reds.

Earlier, Liverpool announced they had agreed a deal to sign Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez from Ajax for £22.8m.

But Suarez's arrival at Anfield did not stop Torres from asking to leave Liverpool on Friday evening.

"Fernando Torres has submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool," added the Reds statement.

Torres has had a indifferent season, scoring nine goals in 26 games but has recently looked revitalised under new boss Kenny Dalglish, scoring three goals in his last four games.

The Spaniard's indifferent start to the season comes after a knee injury, which also hampered him at the World Cup in South Africa last summer.

Although he scored twice in the Reds' 2-0 win over Chelsea in November, Torres looked a forlorn figure under previous Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson.

Liverpool moved up to seventh in the Premier League table following their 1-0 victory over Fulham on Wednesday, but they still face a fight to qualify for the Champions League next season, with Chelsea nine points ahead of them in fourth spot.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to talk about Torres but said he is happy that "the club are trying to do everything they can to improve the squad".

With the transfer window open until 2300 GMT on Monday, there is still time for the Blues to increase their offer for the Spaniard should they wish.

Ancelotti said: "I don't want to speak about this, you will have to ask the club. He is not my player and I have to have respect for Liverpool.

"I'm not surprised, because I know very well what the club is doing now. I am happy because the club is doing a fantastic job in this transfer market."

Although Ancelotti's team have failed to fully replicate their form of last term where they won the Premier League title, they are still in the Champions League and are currently 10 points behind league leaders Manchester United.

Ancelotti has previously hinted that he wanted to bring in new players to bolster an ageing squad stretched by injuries this season.

And with the club close to signing Benfica defender David Luiz, the bid for Torres shows that Chelsea are still prepared to use their financial muscle to boost their domestic and European ambitions.

KennyIsKing wrote:
2) He put in the transfer request before suarez was signed