Fernando Torres has spoken out for the first time about his controversial Liverpool exit, claiming he was ‘betrayed’ by his former club.
The former Spain international joined Chelsea for a then record £50 million fee in January 2011 following three-and-a-half years with the Reds.
Torres received a warm reception when he appeared at Anfield during a charity game last year but the manner of his Stamford Bridge defection continues to stir feelings of animosity.
However in a new book, ‘Ring of Fire: Liverpool FC into the 21st century – the players’ stories’, the Atletico Madrid striker offers his own version of events.
He said: “[Director of Football, Damien] Comolli told me that the new owners [Fenway Sports Group), they had an idea of how to spend their investment.
“They wanted to bring in young players, to build something new. I was thinking to myself, This takes time to work.
“It takes two, three, four, maybe even ten years. I didn’t have that time. I was twenty-seven years old. I did not have time to wait. I wanted to win.
“Here we are five years later and they are still trying to build – around the same position in the league as when I left.”