Liverpool braced for new Torres bid

Liverpool are bracing themselves for a renewed bid from Chelsea for star striker Fernando Torres after turning down a transfer request from the player.

The Anfield club refused Torres' request and then told the Spanish striker they expect him to honour his long-term contract.

Speculation had been rife throughout Friday about the 26-year-old's future after the club turned down a £35million bid from Chelsea.

Just hours after the Reds agreed a deal with Ajax for their Uruguay forward Luiz Suarez Torres handed in his request. It was rejected and the player was reminded of his previous pledge to the club.

Barely had news of the Suarez deal, worth up to £22.8million for the Dutch club, filtered out then speculation began to increase about Torres.

It had been hoped the capture of the Uruguayan would provide the necessary evidence that owners Fenway Sports Group were serious about investing in the squad and convince star names like Torres and goalkeeper Jose Reina that they could have a successful future at Anfield.

However, it appears the 26-year-old's mind had already been made up to ask to leave in the wake of Chelsea's bid even though he has a contract until the end of 2013.

The Stamford Bridge side have tried to sign Torres before and last summer it seemed they were preparing to make another offer when the player returned from South Africa as a World Cup winner.