New Ireland and Torres deals

STEPHEN IRELAND insisted he never wants to leave Manchester City after signing a new five-year contract yesterday, writes Mark Garrod.

“I never had any doubts about staying,” the Cobh-born player said.

“Regardless, I was going to be here, and hopefully for the remainder of my career.”

And Liverpool have also tied down a star player, Fernando Torres rewarded with a new contract that will keep him at Anfield until at least 2013 with improved terms and an option to stay through to 2014.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said: “Fernando is one of the best strikers in the game today and, at his age, can only get better.

“He has shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future.”