Benitez delight at Torres new deal; 'Special' striker hailed as he seals his Anfield future: Benitez's delight at Torres new deal.

Byline: CHRISTOPHER BEESLEY

FERNANDO TORRES has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract at Anfield.

The Spanish striker, who penned a six-year deal on his arrival in 2007, has agreed improved terms and an extended deal which ties him to the club for a further year until 2014.

Torres's fresh package is a reward for the impressive start he has made to his time in England having netted 50 goals in his first two seasons for Liver pool.

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

"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." Torres joins Dirk Kuyt, Daniel Agger, Steven Gerrard and Benitez in agreeing new deals at Anfield over the past two months.

Benitez added: "We've made huge progress this season and now we need to take the next step. 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." Another player who has reiterated his desire to remain at Anfield is Javier Mascherano, who claims that a move to the newlycrowned European champions does not appeal to him. Barcelona, who won their third European Cup on Wednesday with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Manchester United in Rome, had been linked with a move for the Argentina skipper but the 24- year-old insists he does not know of any interest from the Catalan giants. He said: "I still have three years on my contract with Liverpool and I am happy there. "I am comfortable and thinking only of Liverpool. I don't know anything about an approach from Barcelona or any other club." Barcelona's win over Sir Alex Ferguson's side -who equalled Liverpool's record of 18League titles this season - completed a double for rookie coach Pep Guardiola in his debut season at the Nou Camp having also clinched top spot in La Liga. In contrast, despite his own career being revived at Anfield following his West Ham nightmare, Mascherano has just reached the end of a campaign with Liverpool for the third time without any silverware. The pounds 18.6million signing had cast doubt over his Liverpool future in recent weeks with Barcelona's great rivals Real Madrid monitoring the situation of both himself and midfield partner Xabi Alonso but Mascherano is now insisting that he is settled on Merseyside and he hopes to be reunited with international team-mate Tevez. Tevez's loan at Manchester United has now come to an end and the striker looks set to leave the club. No player has moved directly from Old Trafford to Anfield since Phil Chisnall in 1964 although another Argentinian Gabriel Heinze came close in 2007 but Ferguson blocked any deal with the defender eventually joining Real Madrid. Despite the controversial nature of any potential move CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 down the M62, Mascherano believes Tevez could prove a hit at Anfield. He said: "I hope we can count on him. Because of the type of player Carlos is, he would be great for us. "However, it will be a tough fight because so many clubs are interested in him." Meanwhile, Benitez has revealed how Sami Hyypia's departure this summer could open the first-team door for one of the club's young defenders. England youth international Martin Kelly and Spanish U21 Mikel San Jose are among a clutch of budding centre-backs waiting in the wings. While Benitez is refusing to rule out adding to his defensive ranks this summer, the Spaniard is set to include several youngsters in his preseason plans. He said: "We will see the young players in pre-season and we can work on different scenarios. "We will see all of them and after decide. They are young players with a great future here. "It depends on them and also it depends on whether we can find someone in the market who can be good for us at the right price."This sends out a very positive message to everyone RAFAEL BENITEZ

CAPTION(S):

Fernando Torres