Recently by Tony Barrett

FERNANDO TORRES paid a stirring tribute today to Liverpool FC and its fans - for helping turn him into a European champion.

The Reds striker scored a stunning winner to sink Germany last night and end Spain's 44-year wait for a major trophy.

Now he wants to follow up his first major success as a player by helping Liverpool to glory in the coming season.

ON Monday, the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) will celebrate six months in existence as the country's first ever football supporters union.

It has come a long way since the day it was formed on February 16 when around 1,000 Liverpool fans packed into the Olympia on West Derby Road ahead of the ill-fated FA Cup tie against Barnsley.

That rally was followed by a march to Anfield with all present united in their desire to see Liverpool Football Club rid of American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

WHILE Rafa Benitez plots an overhaul of his squad, certain parts of Anfield are being given a facelift at present which will impact on stadium tours next week.

Due to essential rebuilding work on the dressing rooms, tours between this Monday, June 16, and Sunday, June 22 will be shortened to miss out both these and the 'This is Anfield' sign.

A club spokesman said: "We apologise for the disappointment this may cause, but the work is essential and cannot be done at any other time.

SPAIN striker Fernando Torres has rubbished talk of a rift between himself and coach Luis Aragones.

The Liverpool frontman was reportedly unhappy at being substituted after only 54 minutes of Spain's 4-1 victory over Russia in their opening game in Group D.

But Torres insisted ahead of the clash with Sweden on Saturday he remains on good terms with Aragones

THE combination of international retirement and England's failure to qualify means Jamie Carragher will not be taking part in the European Championships.

But that doesn't mean he won't be taking an interest in the tournament which gets underway tonight - far from it.

Ever since he was a boy watching the likes of Gary Lineker and Marco van Basten make international names for themselves the Liverpool defender has looked forward to the big tournaments and it' no different now.