Benitez gives thanks for ‘priceless’ Torres

THE financial climate may have changed in the Premier League, thanks to the extraordinary events at Manchester City this summer, but one immutable fact remains, according to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez.

Fernando Torres, the brilliant young Spanish striker who took his season tally to eight goals in seven league games with a hat-trick during Saturday’s stroll past Hull, is one player money simply cannot buy.

Interestingly, Benitez revealed after the six-goal victory had ensured Liverpool their best start to a season in goalscoring terms since 1895 that he was contacted in the summer by agents representing Premier League teams who were inquiring about Torres’ availability.