Torres announced his arrival at Anfield with a goal against Chelsea on his debut, and has gone on to score some memorable goals during his time at Liverpool.

Owen’s contract at Newcastle United had expired earlier in the week, and he had been linked with Hull City, Stoke City, Aston Villa and Everton.

However, he leapt at the chance to sign for the English champions after being approached by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Michael is a world-class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level,” said Ferguson.

“Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish.”

Owen explained how the move had come about: “I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me.

“I agreed without a moment’s thought. This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.

“I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here.

“I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting from day one.

“I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances.”

I’m really disappointed he was once my hero now I hope he spends his days on the United bench!

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The Reds boss was embroiled in a row with Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson last season, during which he claimed Liverpool were “handicapped” by the timings of matches – even quipping his rival should perhaps “organise the fixtures and everything in his office and send them to us”.

The debate for the campaign ahead is likely to once again centre on which of the ‘Big Four’ teams play at home and which have to travel following potentially testing midweek European ties.

Arsenal, who finished fourth, have already had their Premier League match against Bolton on August 18 postponed because of the need to go through a two-legged qualifier.

It is, though, Liverpool who could perhaps feel somewhat aggrieved at the way some of their domestic games have been allocated.

After the opening games of the new Champions League season on September 15/16, the Reds are set to travel to West Ham, while all of their rivals will be at home – United involved in the Manchester derby which could well be switched to a Sunday kick-off giving the league champions more recovery time.

On Matchday Two, Liverpool head to title rivals Chelsea, while again United and Arsenal are also at home.

Benitez and Ferguson will go head to head at Anfield on October 24, which follows the third of the opening Champions League group games.

Chelsea are at home, while the Gunners, should they qualify, would face only a short trip across London to West Ham.

Not until after Matchday Four do the Reds appear to get a break, when they host promoted Birmingham, while United travel to Stamford Bridge that weekend and Arsenal are at Wolves.

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Liverpool and Portsmouth are believed to have settled on a fee of around £17 million for the England defender, with the Liverpool Echo claiming that Johnson has told The Reds he wants to sign.

Both clubs are attempting to close the deal quietly, with Rafa Benitez keen to avoid losing Johnson to a last-ditch hijack as he did with Gareth Barry a week ago.

The Portsmouth News admits Peter Storrie said midway through Monday that no bid had been received for the player, but that situation is said to have changed on Monday night.

Negotiations will continue into Wednesday, but trusted local paper The Liverpool Echo claims Liverpool are ‘very confident’ they will get their man.

Should Johnson arrive, Rafa Benitez will listen to offers for Alvaro Arbeloa, who is viewed as an option for previous club Real Madrid as they consider moving Sergio Ramos to the heart of their defence.