Liverpool star Fernando Torres has admitted to Sky Sports News that Liverpool are now targeting Europa League and FA Cup glory this season.

The Spaniard insists that a top-four finish, along with some silverware, will result in a successful campaign for the Reds.

Torres concedes that Liverpool’s campaign has not hit the heights they expected back in August after an early exit from the UEFA Champions League and a weak Premier League bid.

“This season is not the season we were expecting at the beginning of the season, but these things happen,” he told Sky Sports News.

“We were thinking of trophies, first choice was the Champions League and the Premier League – we are out of the Champions League, and we are really far out from the Premier League, so we now change our targets.

“We have to think the Europa League and FA Cup are the two competitions we can win this season and obviously trying to stay in the top four.”

Togetherness

Torres insists that despite their indifferent campaign, Liverpool can still achieve much this season, but they need to remain united.

“Staying together is the main thing now,” he insisted.

“If we can stay together, manager, players, staff, everyone at the club, we have quality enough to stay in the top four and win trophies.

“At the end of the season if we win one trophy, it will have been a nice season, so we are on target.

“The people of Liverpool deserve to play in finals, whether it be in Europe or England, it is a long time since we played in a final and they deserve, they deserve more trophies.”

Looking ahead to the Super Sunday clash with Arsenal – which you can see live on Sky Sports – Torres is hopeful they can overcome Arsene Wenger’s men.

“Arsenal are doing quite well this season,” he said. “They are close to the top and playing with young players and doing really good. The mentality of the manager and players is brilliant.

“But we are playing at Anfield and with the help of our supporters we can beat anyone.”

Liverpool v Arsenal Hat Trick: Torres, F. 33/1

Arsenal have confirmed that Mexico international striker Carlos Vela has signed a new long-term contract.

Vela, 20, joined the Gunners in January 2007, but spent the next year-and-a-half on loan in Spain with the likes of Salamanca and Osasuna.

The skilful striker made his Arsenal debut last season and showed fans his vast potential with a blistering Carling Cup hat-trick against Sheffield United.

Vela has featured more prominently under manager Arsene Wenger this season, making eight first-team appearances while he is also a regular for his county having won 19 caps.

Delighted

“We’re delighted that Carlos Vela has signed a new long-term contract with the club,” Wenger told the club’s official website. “Carlos is a fantastic talent and we have already seen glimpses of this during his performances.

“Let’s remember, he is still only 20 years old, so there is still a huge amount to come from this boy. We have invested a lot of time in Carlos, as we put him in Spain for two years to get some good experience.

“Now he’s back with us, we’re working hard with him every day and he is a very exciting player. We’re looking forward to seeing Carlos score many goals in an Arsenal shirt for a long time to come.”

Thrilled

Vela is thrilled to commit his long-term future and is looking forward to helping the club win their first trophy since the 2005 FA Cup.

“I’m very happy to sign a new contract and I’m very excited to be spending more years with Arsenal,” said the Mexican starlet.

“I just want to work hard and help this great club win trophies. I want to stay here for a long time and it’s a great responsibility.

“I will keep working hard to show the boss and all the fans why I’m here.”

Liverpool 5/4, Draw 9/4, Arsenal 9/4

Michael Owen felt that Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Wolfsburg was a team effort despite the striker scoring all three goals.

The former Liverpool man struck a minute before half-time and added two more against the run of play in the final 10 minutes, after Edin Dzeko had equalised for Wolfsburg.

However the 29-year-old, Owen is 30 next week, admitted that United had flourished as a team after numerous injuries had decimated their defence.

Patrice Evra, United’s only recognised defender in the entire squad, started alongside Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Park Ji-Sung in an unfamiliar backline.

“Me getting three goals will probably grab the headlines, but it was a great team performance,” Owen, who took his season tally to seven, said.

Absentees

“I was playing deep with us having so many players out and we were trying to protect the back four.”

The win for the Red Devils made sure they finished on top of the group and Owen is now hoping for a favourable draw in the last-16.

“It’s great being top so we play at home second,” he added. “But I’m not going to lie, you want as weak a side as possible.

“If a team’s got to first or second in the Champions League, there’s no weak sides, although you obviously want to avoid the big boys.”

Man. Utd v Aston Villa 1st Goalscorer: Owen, M. 5/1

Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross admits he was flattered by speculation linking him with other clubs.

Shawcross recently pledged his long-term future to Stoke by signing a new deal at the Britannia Stadium after attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and former club Manchester United.

The England Under 21 international admits he was happy to extend his stay at Stoke and paid tribute to Tony Pulis for improving him as a player.

“It is always good when you get linked with clubs as it means you are doing something well, but I have signed a new deal here,” Shawcross told Sky Sports News.

“I am very happy, my family is very happy so I will just continue to hopefully perform well for Stoke.”

Shawcross admits the chance to play regular first-team football was a big factor in his decision to stay put and that by playing on a consistent basis has made him a better defender.

“It’s a massive factor that I am performing the way I am,” added Shawcross.

“I am playing week in, week out. If I would have been at a team where I was not playing I may not have improved how I have done.

“The manager has got to take a lot of credit. He brought me in as a reserve player and he has turned me into a Premier League player week in, week out so a lot of thanks has got to go to him.”

Stoke v Wigan. Click here to bet.

Sam Allardyce has confirmed he will be back in charge of Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.

The Rovers chief underwent an angioplasty procedure last month, and has been recuperating at home.

Allardyce has missed league games against Bolton, Fulham and Stoke, whilst he was also unable to attend as his side won their Carling Cup quarter-final against Chelsea on penalties on Wednesday night.

Although the Rovers boss will be in the stands, rather than on the touchline against Liverpool, he is looking forward to returning to the helm.

“I will be up in the stand out of the way, and guiding it from there – I will be linked up and having some input, I will also speak to the lads before the game,” Allardyce confirmed to Sky Sports News.

“It is an unexpected situation what has happened, and a bit of a traumatic experience but the specialists are saying I can move back into there now and get on with the job I love doing and I am looking forward to seeing the lads.”

He was delighted to see his side make the Carling Cup semi-finals in his absence.

“Hopefully it will spur us on and through to January so we can look forward to the semi-finals as we are just two games away from Wembley,” he said.

The Blackburn boss does admit he needs to take better care of himself.

“There is obviously some greater care I will have to start doing and taking better care of myself,” he said.

“It is difficult but I will keep going for regular testing like I have done.

“A little more exercise when possible and go week by week and he said I should be fully recovered in two or three weeks.”

Allardyce is very grateful for all the messages of goodwill he has received over the last few weeks.

“I was overwhelmed with the amount of well wishers and I would like to thank them publicly and on camera as it is impossible for me to get back to everyone,” he stated.

Blackburn v Liverpool. Click here to bet.