Champions League: Liverpool may be embroiled in a race with Manchester United for the domestic title but star striker Fernando Torres has his eyes fixed on winning the Champions League.

The Reds take on Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals at Anfield on Wednesday and Torres said his part in Spain’s victorious Euro 2008 campaign has given him the taste of success.

“Domestic titles are very important but to win the Champions League you are saying we are the best team in Europe,” Torres said. “This club has a great record in the European Cup but now I want to be a part of that history.

“Winning the European Championship was a great thing for me and I understood what it was to win a major trophy and what I had been missing. On the way home from the European Championship I made a promise that I wanted more of this success with Liverpool and it does not come any bigger than the European Cup.”

Meanwhile, Torres hailed the decision of Steven Gerrard to sign a new contract, saying the Liverpool skipper is one of the best players in the game.

“Stevie has been getting a lot of praise from some of the best players in the world,” added Torres. “That is quite right because I think he is the best in the world. He is a great team player but he can also win a game on his own when maybe we are not playing so well.

“I would love to see him have a lot more success. I cannot think of a player I would rather be playing with. We know it is not going to be easy against Chelsea on Wednesday but both Stevie and I are happy with our form.”

The Spanish striker also reiterated his own desire to stay at the club for the long term.

He said: “I have said many times the only club I would leave Atletico Madrid for was Liverpool, and nothing has changed there. They are the only two clubs that are in my heart.

“I have supported Liverpool since I was a boy and I intend on staying here a very long time.”