The intense pressure that comes with being Liverpool’s record signing may have claimed plenty of victims, but Fernando Torres seemed only too happy to raise expectations yesterday, the Spain striker boldly announcing that he could be the man finally to end the club’s long wait for the league title.

Having signed a six-year contract worth £90,000 a week hours after flying in from Madrid, Torres was presented amid much fanfare at Anfield and spoke of his desire to follow in the footsteps of such legendary figures as Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler.

The Times can reveal the full story behind the £20.2 million transfer that eclipses Liverpool’s previous record outlay of £14.2 million for Djibril Cissé, whose No 9 shirt Torres inherits, although the deal is only likely to be the first of several eye-catching signings by Rafael Benítez as the manager seeks to end the club’s 17-year wait for the championship.

Benítez is also in the hunt for a new winger, possibly two, and the indications from Portugal last night were that Ricardo Quaresma, of FC Porto, could fit the bill. Liverpool are said to have had a £13.5 million bid for the 23-year-old Portugal winger turned playmaker rejected, although a slightly improved offer could be enough to persuade the Portuguese club to sell.

Alessandro Mancini, of AS Roma, and Yossi Benayoun, the West Ham United midfield player, are also thought to be targets, while the manager is also hoping to force through a deal for Gabriel Heinze, the Argentina defender, even though Manchester United appear reluctant to sell him to their fiercest rivals.

Yesterday was all about Torres, though, and the 23-year-old forward is adamant that he can succeed where others such as Cissé, Stan Collymore and Fernando Morientes have failed.

“I’m convinced it’s the right decision and hopefully this will be the year where things happen quickly and we win trophies and things turn out well personally for me,” Torres, whose sale sparked demonstrations by angry supporters in Madrid, said.

“I’m aware that the expectations are really high and that people are very keen to see me score lots of goals, but I’m just as keen to fulfil all their hopes and desires and I’m confident that I will have the necessary ammunition. I’m playing in a top side and that gives me the confidence to be positive about the challenge.

“I don’t have any fear of this responsibility and it’s not something that worries me unduly. I know that with hard work you can overcome the pressure and reach your targets reasonably well.

“The fact that they have given me the legendary No 9 shirt that has been worn by so many great players shows they have confidence in me and that brings great responsibility.”

Torres had been linked with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United and was the subject of a firm inquiry from Old Trafford last summer, but he insists that Liverpool was the only club for which he was prepared to leave Madrid.

“It was a great opportunity. It’s true I have had offers in the past, but this is the very first time I’ve asked Atlético to listen to any of those offers,” he said. “This is the first time I have been tempted to leave.

“Liverpool are a massive club and they could literally approach anyone in the world of football, so to approach me was very special.”