Fernando Torres fired out a warning to Liverpool’s rivals by claiming this is their year.

The Spanish star, in Singapore as part of the Reds’ tour of the Far East revealed a confidence in the camp ahead of the new campaign and the belief that 20 years of title pain are about to come to an end.

“Two years without a trophy is a long time for a club like Liverpool, but we believe we can do it this year,” he said.

“It won't be easy because there are big challenges ahead but we think we can win.

“Maybe this season will be more important because we have a fantastic squad and we can play better than last season. I came to Liverpool to win trophies. But I am sure that this time we can win the Premier League or the Champions League.”

Liverpool are likely to make a bid for that double without Xabi Alonso with reports suggesting that a move to Real Madrid is moving closer.

Alonso, it is claimed, wants to make the switch but Reds boss Rafa Benitez maintained that the player — who was ruled out of Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Thailand with an ankle injury — is fit and available for the friendly with Singapore on Sunday.

“Alonso is here and as I said before, he will enjoy the weather and the fans and the journalists. He is ready and he can play (on Sunday),” he said.

But Madrid's sport director Miguel Pardeza said: “Liverpool have asked for more than Madrid are ready to pay and it's very difficult to understand. But I've not lost hope that things can be resolved.”