Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro and Real Madrid team-mate Pepe looked ahead to the last sixteen tie between the two European giants. Following the White’s impressive La Liga win against Real Betis, the Italian defender analysed the threat posed by the Liverpool forward. “Torres is one of the best strikers in Europe, and the duel between him, me and Pepe will be one of the key factors of the match. His win with Spain at the European Championship in the summer has given him great confidence and he has his best years ahead of him.”

Portugal international Pepe is looking forward to the battle with the Liverpool goalscorer, but the Real Madrid number ‘3’ realises that both Cannavaro and himself need to be 100% focused during the 90 minutes if they do not want Torres to come out on top. “It’s going to be interesting. I hope that by talking a lot with Fabio, we can keep things tight at the back, and stop Fernando Torres. He’s a footballer who plays at a higher level than other footballers. He has a lot of different things to offer. He’s quick and very strong in the challenge. I am going to have to be fully focused, and to always try to think one second quicker than him- so that I can intercept as many number of passes possible.”

Cannavaro and Pepe join fellow Real Madrid defender Cristoph Metzelder (in highlighting the threat posed by the Anfield number ‘9’) as the three internationals prepare for the visit of Liverpool… and Fernando Torres.