Rafa Benitez claims that Fernando Torres turned down bigger money at other clubs to join Liverpool.

The Spanish striker will complete his £26.5million move to Liverpool today and Benitez believes he would only leave Atletico Madrid to join the Reds.

Torres himself gushed about Liverpool in his final press conference as an Atletico player, and Benitez has clearly been impressed with his "passion" for the club.

"Atletico Madrid had better offers and the player had better offers," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"But he always wanted to join Liverpool. That was the key for me.

"We needed to work hard because there were other clubs who wanted him that we knew about - other clubs offering more money.

"But the player said straight away 'I want to join Liverpool'. He said we were his first choice and that was the key for me.

"He has taken a pay cut to come here. Okay he is still on a very good contract because he is a top player. But to be a successful club you need players with passion and Fernando has passion."

For more soccer news from around the globe visit Soccer365