firsthand
VIP Member
LONDON — Even with five months of the season remaining, Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has conceded that the Premier League title is out of reach.
That will make Sunday's match against Arsenal even more painful for the Spaniard. Arsenal might be third in the standings -- eight points behind leader Chelsea -- but Liverpool is a further four adrift in seventh.
With Liverpool also exiting the Champions League at the group stage after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Fiorentina, the top two prizes have gone. All the players have to fight for is the FA Cup, the Europa League trophy and ensuring they finish in the top four to qualify for Europe's elite competition next season.
"We are really far out from the Premier League, so we now change our targets," Torres said. "We have to think the Europa League and FA Cup are the two competitions we can win this season and obviously trying to stay in the top four. Staying together is the main thing now.
"If we can stay together -- manager, players, staff, everyone at the club -- we have quality enough to stay in the top four and win trophies."
Torres is available to make it happen after recovering from a groin injury that has prevented him from playing in the league since October.
That will make Sunday's match against Arsenal even more painful for the Spaniard. Arsenal might be third in the standings -- eight points behind leader Chelsea -- but Liverpool is a further four adrift in seventh.
With Liverpool also exiting the Champions League at the group stage after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat by Fiorentina, the top two prizes have gone. All the players have to fight for is the FA Cup, the Europa League trophy and ensuring they finish in the top four to qualify for Europe's elite competition next season.
"We are really far out from the Premier League, so we now change our targets," Torres said. "We have to think the Europa League and FA Cup are the two competitions we can win this season and obviously trying to stay in the top four. Staying together is the main thing now.
"If we can stay together -- manager, players, staff, everyone at the club -- we have quality enough to stay in the top four and win trophies."
Torres is available to make it happen after recovering from a groin injury that has prevented him from playing in the league since October.