Soccer: Reds can't go wrong - Balague

Guillem Balague has followed Fernando Torres' move to Liverpool from start to finish and with the former Atletico icon now an Anfield player, looks back at the summer's biggest deal so far. He says Atletico might not be getting the money their fans expect, but on the other hand, Liverpool cannot lose...

When Rafa Benítez convinced the new owners of Liverpool they had to spend big amount of money to take his team to the next level, he thought about making a ground-breaking move for a striker.

Samuel Eto'o was his first option but soon it was clear that however much he wanted him, it would be almost impossible to get the Camerooon international - he was wanted by many but the player, having thought about leaving, indicated finally he wants to stay at Barcelona.

So before the end of the Champions League at the end of May, the Liverpool manager had already chosen his future centre-forward.

It was not going to be Diego Forlan because of the doubts that exist in the manager's mind following his previous spell in the Premier League with Manchester United; nor Zaragoza's Diego Milito who, the boss thought, doesn't really have the pace needed to succeed in England; nor Juventus's Daivd Trezeguet, who was waiting for a call from Barcelona or Real Madrid.

So it soon became clear that the best option (in terms of the money-quality split) was Fernando Torres and talks began before the end of the May.

When the player played through injury in the last two matches of the season, it was obvious his only objective was help Atletico fulfil their dream of qualifying for the Uefa Cup.

But by then he already knew about the interest from Liverpool and even if Athletico did make it, there was still the suspicion that things would end in Torres pulling on the red shirt of one of the most famous clubs in the world.

The player was ready for a new challenge and after Atletico did not qualify for Europe for the eighth consecutive season, there was only one outcome of the talks.

The agreement between player and the two clubs has been in place for weeks but if it wasn't confirmed by any of the parties earlier it's because Atletico needed to prepare their fans for it, as well as finalise agreements on the usual commissions between the parties.

The owners of Liverpol are keen on the opportunity to bring in a player of great promise, who is young enough to be allowed a first season of adapting to the style of the Premier League.

Although Torres's representatives pushed for less and Liverpool wanted to sign him for seven, a six-year-deal has of course, been agreed between them.

That means Liverpool have little to lose.

If the move doesn't work out, Torres will be able to return to Spain in three years time when he will still only be 26, and they will still have the chance to recoup the money spent.

Finally, according to Liverpool executives, the Anfield club has paid around £20million for the player (including Luis Garcia, but not Djibril Cisse as had been discussed) — although Atletico will keep insisting they have recieved almost the totality of his buy out clause, another leak to the press that is trying to help the unrest of fans.

I know who to believe!

As the British media all agree, that money makes Torres one of the most important signings in the history of the Premiership

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