LIVERPOOL: Fernando Torres signed a new contract with Liverpool on Friday and then told his team-mates they have a golden opportunity to end the club's 19-year wait to win the English title this season.

Spain striker Torres agreed an improved deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2013 with the option of a further year's extension and he insists there are no excuses for not winning the title.

"Fernando Torres has put pen to paper on a new and improved contract at Anfield," a statement on Liverpool's website confirmed.

"The 25-year old striker agreed the terms of the deal back in May and has now completed the formalities of signing the new contract."

Rafa Benitez's runners-up finished just four points behind Manchester United in the Premier League last season and Torres is confident Liverpool can hold their own against the top four rivals.

He believes landing wins rather than draws in some of the other tricky fixtures, like Sunday's Premier League opener at Tottenham, will be enough to overhaul United.

"We have no problem beating Manchester United or Chelsea but it is games like Sunday's at Tottenham where we need to show our real title intentions," Torres told The Sun.

"Tottenham is not an easy place to go but these are games we must be winning if this is to finally be our year.

"I am not thinking can we win the title, I am thinking we have to win the title."

After several seasons on the fringes of the title race, Torres believes the experience of going so close last term will stand them in good stead this year.

"We came so close last season but for many of the players it was their first time experiencing the pressure of a Premier League title race," Torres said.

"We have experience and if we don't bring the title back to Anfield I won't be offering up any excuses at the end of the season.

"We don't need to improve a lot on last season to win the title. There is only a slight improvement needed to give the fans and players the title they have wanted for so many years now.

"This is the best Liverpool team there has been in years, that is what many of the experienced players are saying.

"Now is our time. Second best is just not going to cut it with me any more."