Luis Garcia: Fernando Torres has quality to win Liverpool the title

The 30-year-old will always have a special place in Liverpool history, and even on his arrival at John Lennon airport yesterday he was given a tremendous welcome by fans after his three-year stay at the club. But now he will be concentrating on stopping Liverpool's progress in this season's competition.

His view, though, on 24-year-old Torres - who is battling to be fit following a hamstring injury - is clear. Garcia said: "When I was here we did not have player who can score 20 goals a season, we tried to find one, but we certainly did not have one like Torres.

"Torres has given Liverpool that extra dimension, he is scoring in the Premier League and in Europe. He got 33 last season and can do the same again. In the Premier League you need a player who can give you that, and that is why they are a better team now with Fernando in their team."

He added: "This will be a special game for me personally, but it should be for anyone playing here at this stadium with such a fantastic atmosphere.

"I spent several years here and enjoyed the time - it is a special occasion for me.

"I even had a big reception at the airport. I have had messages of goodwill from fans, letters and emails. It is great to come back and see these people again.

"A special part in my heart will always be with these people at this club and in this city.

"I still remember a lot of people from when I was here, fans and players. And now their squad is much bigger than when I was here, and we could not do that when I was here.

"We did okay in Premier League, but now the squad is much better and stronger and they can be very successful.

"From my point of view, the most disappointing thing was that Liverpool were not able to win the league. They could not win enough games in a row to achieve that. It is very difficult to stay in top four without that.

"But now they are doing that, and I feel they can continue to stay at the top."

Luis Garcia accepts that Atletico will be wary of Torres.

But he said: "He is not the only good player, Liverpool have them all over there pitch and we will have to be very careful against them because of their quality."

Atletico manager Javier Aguirre insists he wants to see Torres on the pitch facing his side.

He said: "We are aware that he has been injured, but I want him to be 100% fit and playing against us, I want us to be challenged by the very best."

The Mexican coach, now three years into his spell in Madrid, is conscious there could be a backlash from Liverpool after they lost their unbeaten record for the season at Tottenham on Saturday.

He said: "They could well be angry. We will see. But they did not deserve to lose at Spurs. If you watched the game, you will understand. They should have won and had the best chances."