Liverpool have rewarded Fernando Torres with a new contract that will keep him at Anfield until at least 2013.
Although the Spain striker still had four years remaining on his original six-year contract, Liverpool have offered him improved terms and added an option to take the deal 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 added: "Every major side would want him in their team, but he has shown how much he wants to achieve success at Liverpool by committing his future to the club.
"He's a special talent but still has the hunger to improve his game."
Benitez is looking to secure the futures of his key players after watching them push Manchester United all the way in the title race this season before settling for second place.
Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard and Benitez himself have already signed new contracts in the last two months.
"We've made huge progress this season and now we need to take the next step," Benitez added on the club's website.
"We are building something special here and securing such important players on long-term deals means we can move forward with confidence. This sends out a very positive message to everyone connected with the club."
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Thursday 28 May 2009
Your chance to lift the FA Cup
Fancy lifting the FA Cup this Saturday? We've teamed up with E.ON, sponsors of the FA Cup to give millions of fans the chance to do just that from the confort of their own home.
Using the latest digital technology - called Augmented Reality - the first ever virtual FA Cup has been created.
John Terry or Phil Neville will need to climb 107 stairs up to the Royal Box at Wembley to lift the famous trophy, but fans everywhere can get their hands on it for free from the comfort of their living room in just a few easy steps.
Once downloaded, fans can also record themselves within a mini post-match interview introduced by ITV football commentator, Clive Tyldsley, which can be sent to family and friends via email.
For the first time in the 128-year history of The FA Cup, an online version of match day programme is also available online in advance of Saturday's match between Chelsea and Everton so fans not lucky enough to be at Wembley won't be denied an essential part of the match day experience.
And to help provide the complete Wembley experience - the online programme (or i-mag) comes complete with the words to the FA Cup hymn 'Abide with Me' - sung at every Final since 1927.
Using the latest digital technology - called Augmented Reality - the first ever virtual FA Cup has been created.
John Terry or Phil Neville will need to climb 107 stairs up to the Royal Box at Wembley to lift the famous trophy, but fans everywhere can get their hands on it for free from the comfort of their living room in just a few easy steps.
Once downloaded, fans can also record themselves within a mini post-match interview introduced by ITV football commentator, Clive Tyldsley, which can be sent to family and friends via email.
For the first time in the 128-year history of The FA Cup, an online version of match day programme is also available online in advance of Saturday's match between Chelsea and Everton so fans not lucky enough to be at Wembley won't be denied an essential part of the match day experience.
And to help provide the complete Wembley experience - the online programme (or i-mag) comes complete with the words to the FA Cup hymn 'Abide with Me' - sung at every Final since 1927.
Ferguson slams defensive display
Sir Alex Ferguson tore into his defenders after Manchester United had thrown away the chance of making history at the Stadio Olimpico.
Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored the goals which gave Barcelona a 2-0 victory, denying United the honour of becoming the first club to retain the Champions League. And while Ferguson did not name the culprits he clearly had Nemanja Vidic in mind when he described United's defending for Eto'o's first goal as "shoddy."
"In our best performances this season we have defended very well, but the defending was shoddy," said Ferguson. "The first goal didn't help. It gave them the opportunity to keep possession. We didn't plan to lose a goal early and we didn't deal with it well enough. That was the story. To lose a goal like that was a bad goal. It was a disappointing performance and some individuals will feel it themselves."
United were hoping to become the first club successfully to defend the trophy in its current format.
But while Ferguson threw on Carlos Tevez for Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov for Park Ji-Sung in a bid to turn around the match in the second-half the United boss was outfoxed tactically by Josep Guardiola.
The Barcelona coach withdrew Messi from his wide berth up front to reinforce midfield and it gave the Spaniards dominance.
It could have been more embarrassing for United as Xavi Hernandez struck a post and Thierry Henry and Carles Puyol brought fine saves from Edwin Van der Sar in a pulsating second half.
Ferguson said: "The disappointment was the use of the ball when we got possession. You have to wait minutes to get it back off them. Could be it was an off night. Could be it was a mountain too big to climb.
"We knew what a good football team they were. We had difficulty in defending against them. Messi dropped into midfield and they kept possession and made it difficult for us."
Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi scored the goals which gave Barcelona a 2-0 victory, denying United the honour of becoming the first club to retain the Champions League. And while Ferguson did not name the culprits he clearly had Nemanja Vidic in mind when he described United's defending for Eto'o's first goal as "shoddy."
"In our best performances this season we have defended very well, but the defending was shoddy," said Ferguson. "The first goal didn't help. It gave them the opportunity to keep possession. We didn't plan to lose a goal early and we didn't deal with it well enough. That was the story. To lose a goal like that was a bad goal. It was a disappointing performance and some individuals will feel it themselves."
United were hoping to become the first club successfully to defend the trophy in its current format.
But while Ferguson threw on Carlos Tevez for Anderson and Dimitar Berbatov for Park Ji-Sung in a bid to turn around the match in the second-half the United boss was outfoxed tactically by Josep Guardiola.
The Barcelona coach withdrew Messi from his wide berth up front to reinforce midfield and it gave the Spaniards dominance.
It could have been more embarrassing for United as Xavi Hernandez struck a post and Thierry Henry and Carles Puyol brought fine saves from Edwin Van der Sar in a pulsating second half.
Ferguson said: "The disappointment was the use of the ball when we got possession. You have to wait minutes to get it back off them. Could be it was an off night. Could be it was a mountain too big to climb.
"We knew what a good football team they were. We had difficulty in defending against them. Messi dropped into midfield and they kept possession and made it difficult for us."
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