Thaindian News

London, Dec 27 (ANI): Liverpool ace striker Fernando Torres’ long- term loyalty for the club is being stretched to its limit with the club battling to keep him beyond this season.

Liverpool’s alarming slump is leading him to a similar situation where his heart is at his current club but he may be forced to move on.

Failure to finish in the top four and the continued presence of the current hierarchy would mean only blind faith could keep Torres at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has already turned down a 70 million pound bid from Manchester City for his star striker. Chelsea also had an approach for Torres rebuffed last summer, with the player uninterested in leaving Anfield at the time.

But both City and the Blues are preparing renewed offers, News of the World reports.

Torres has consistently committed himself to the Liverpool cause but that is conditional on the club proving they can fulfil his ambitions.

The Spaniard has become troubled by the shambolic events on and off the pitch in recent months and is seeking assurances the club will sort themselves out before the start of next season.

Torres left his boyhood team Atletico Madrid because they could not match his Champions League and trophy- winning dreams.

Both Torres and skipper Steven Gerrard want to know if the club are likely to find the resources to undergo another major overhaul of the squad before next season.

Benitez faces two pivotal fixtures over the next fortnight, which will determine if his guarantee of a top-four finish is realistic and will ultimately decide his fate.

His side travel to Aston Villa on Tuesday and welcome Spurs on January 10, News of the World reports.

If the deficit between Liverpool and their top four competitors has increased after that, Benitez’s hopes of surviving beyond May 2010 will deteriorate. (ANI)