Eurosport –
Rafael Benitez rejected bids for star striker Fernando Torres, the Liverpool boss told the Sunday Mirror.
Torres was linked with world-record moves to Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid, while team-mates Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano are being chased by Real and Barcelona respectively.
But the Spanish tactician insisted that no-one will move as “you don’t improve by selling your best players”.
“We have had some very big offers for some of our key players this summer – and that includes Fernando Torres,” Benitez told Mirror Sport. “Clubs wanted Fernando and we were contacted by agents working for those clubs
“But we always knew that when a bid came in we would say ‘no’.
“The main thing was that Torres wanted to stay here. People knew the player wanted to stay, but it did not stop clubs trying.
“We wanted to send out a message that Liverpool are a strong team and that we want to improve. You don’t improve by selling your best players.”
Reda Maher / Eurosport
