Fernando Torres believes Liverpool can leapfrog Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to win the Barclays Premier League title next season.
Torres, who scored his 32nd goal of the season with the only goal of the game against Manchester City, has made a seamless transition from Spanish football.
However, despite his prolific strike rate Torres will finish the campaign empty-handed but he believes the Reds can challenge next year.
He told Sky Sports 1: "We want to win trophies every season. Maybe next season - we will have to keep improving.
"For the fans the most important is the league. Maybe next season. We are a strong team and we can win every game."
Torres, who equalled roger Hunt's record of scoring in eight consecutive home games, continued: "I read (about it) in the programme - I am very proud. Now I try to repeat it next season."
The Spaniard was taken off during the Champions League semi-final with Chelsea with a hamstring injury but he explained his swift recovery.
He added: "It was a problem for Chelsea game but today I was fit. For the last game at Anfield everyone wants to play."
mfl
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the situation with the club's co-owners - while not ideal - is one where they can work together to build for next season.
He said: "We are working together. We inform them and explain our ideas and I think we can progress.
"It is not perfect but we can keep going and try to sign players we want."
He would not, however, be drawn on the identity of any potential targets - including Gareth Barry who Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill revealed was subject of a bid by the Reds.
"I am confident we can enjoy today and we can talk about players in a few days," Benitez added evasively.
Although the Anfield side have finished fourth, they are some way from being title contenders but Benitez refuses to prioritise the league.
"We are a bit far (away) now if you see the table but in crucial moments we were very close," he said.
"It's not easy just to go for the league. For me the depth of the squad is important.
"It's important to do our best in the league - we know everybody wants the league.
"The key for me is to keep them in the top four and be a contender.
"We will try to do our best."
mfl
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson gave little away about his future after the contest.
The Swede's position is apparently in the balance, with club owner Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly putting the finishing touches to his summer pay-off.
He told Sky Sports: "I've not been told anything regarding the situation but at my age I don't need to be told what to do.
"I have my own conclusions and ideas. It's not good to talk before the season is finished.
"I'm responsible for the team and I want them to have a go next Sunday - and to have that you have to try to prepare them mentally and physically so we go to Middlesbrough with the right attitude.
"I'd like to see a good performance there. I don't think we can be worse than ninth and at best maybe eighth so it's been a good year."
City's supporters again gave vocal backing to their manager, who continued: "The support is very nice.
"They appreciate what they have seen this season and believe the team have a future. I think it's very very nice - but the future for now is Middlesbrough away."
On today's game, he added: "I think we were very much in the game in the first half then for 10-15 minutes Liverpool became very good during the second half.
"We gave away too many balls but we are not on holiday yet - we tried for 90 minutes to create chances, which is good.
"We gave the ball away for their goal and if you take away corners and free-kicks we gave the ball away for every chance they created.
"That's something to avoid of course, but it's Liverpool away so it's not that easy."
However, despite his prolific strike rate Torres will finish the campaign empty-handed but he believes the Reds can challenge next year.
He told Sky Sports 1: "We want to win trophies every season. Maybe next season - we will have to keep improving.
"For the fans the most important is the league. Maybe next season. We are a strong team and we can win every game."
Torres, who equalled roger Hunt's record of scoring in eight consecutive home games, continued: "I read (about it) in the programme - I am very proud. Now I try to repeat it next season."
The Spaniard was taken off during the Champions League semi-final with Chelsea with a hamstring injury but he explained his swift recovery.
He added: "It was a problem for Chelsea game but today I was fit. For the last game at Anfield everyone wants to play."
mfl
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes the situation with the club's co-owners - while not ideal - is one where they can work together to build for next season.
He said: "We are working together. We inform them and explain our ideas and I think we can progress.
"It is not perfect but we can keep going and try to sign players we want."
He would not, however, be drawn on the identity of any potential targets - including Gareth Barry who Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill revealed was subject of a bid by the Reds.
"I am confident we can enjoy today and we can talk about players in a few days," Benitez added evasively.
Although the Anfield side have finished fourth, they are some way from being title contenders but Benitez refuses to prioritise the league.
"We are a bit far (away) now if you see the table but in crucial moments we were very close," he said.
"It's not easy just to go for the league. For me the depth of the squad is important.
"It's important to do our best in the league - we know everybody wants the league.
"The key for me is to keep them in the top four and be a contender.
"We will try to do our best."
mfl
City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson gave little away about his future after the contest.
The Swede's position is apparently in the balance, with club owner Thaksin Shinawatra reportedly putting the finishing touches to his summer pay-off.
He told Sky Sports: "I've not been told anything regarding the situation but at my age I don't need to be told what to do.
"I have my own conclusions and ideas. It's not good to talk before the season is finished.
"I'm responsible for the team and I want them to have a go next Sunday - and to have that you have to try to prepare them mentally and physically so we go to Middlesbrough with the right attitude.
"I'd like to see a good performance there. I don't think we can be worse than ninth and at best maybe eighth so it's been a good year."
City's supporters again gave vocal backing to their manager, who continued: "The support is very nice.
"They appreciate what they have seen this season and believe the team have a future. I think it's very very nice - but the future for now is Middlesbrough away."
On today's game, he added: "I think we were very much in the game in the first half then for 10-15 minutes Liverpool became very good during the second half.
"We gave away too many balls but we are not on holiday yet - we tried for 90 minutes to create chances, which is good.
"We gave the ball away for their goal and if you take away corners and free-kicks we gave the ball away for every chance they created.
"That's something to avoid of course, but it's Liverpool away so it's not that easy."
Copyright (c) Press Association
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