Rafa Benitez Admits He Wants to Bring David Villa to Anfield

Rafa Benitez has revealed today that he would like to bring Euro 2008 top scorer David Villa to Liverpool to form a deadly strike partnership with compatriot Fernando Torres.

Having sold Peter Crouch to Portsmouth, Benitez is short on quality striking options and believes Villa is the player who could help fire Liverpool to their first league title in 19 years.

However, he has admitted that the signing of Villa could be "difficult." This is not because Valencia are unwilling to sell—indeed given their horrific financial irregularities they need to sell Villa and/or winger David Silva—but because there will undoubtedly be a whole host of clubs queuing up for Villa's signature.

If Villa does then sign for Liverpool, what would this mean for Fernando Torres? I believe that we could potentially see a notably different role for him.

Last season Torres was deployed in a lone striker role with Steven Gerrard operating just behind him and Dirk Kuyt and Ryan Babel on the wings. As Torres was the focal point of the Liverpool attack, he inevitably found himself on the end of the majority of chances, helping himself to 33 goals in the process.

The arrival of Villa would probably see Torres have to endure more of the "donkey work." As in their partnership for Spain, it seems Torres carries out the unselfish running, creating space for Villa, who in turn finishes accurately.

So whilst Fernando Torres may not score as many goals next season, if Benitez were to get his way and bring Villa to Anfield, the team may actually benefit.

The acquisition of David Villa would have interesting ramifications for the rest of the side. The one question that needs answering is how Benitez would then accommodate Gerrard, Mascherano, and the expected arrival of Gareth Barry in the same midfield.

Of course this is all hypothetical, but a Villa/Torres double act for Liverpool would certainly be a step in the right direction on the road towards winning a long-awaited league title.

And if Benitez can find a balance for the rest of his team, then perhaps it could finally be "our year" for expectant Liverpool fans.