I was interested to read Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's recent quotes about the importance of qualifying for the Champions League.
The Spaniard suggested that the money garnered for making it into next season's group stages is key to keeping the club's best players. And by that he meant Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
Both are fiercely ambitious, but there is a school of thought that had the 29-year-old Gerrard wanted to leave, he would have taken the chance to join Chelsea in 2005. He is Liverpool born and bred and has a great affection for the club.
Torres possesses that same affection. He has made no secret of his love for Liverpool, and reveals in his autobiography that he spends 30 seconds before every home match looking at the Kop. That obviously inspires him, as his performances since joining the Reds have been electrifying.
But Torres also had a huge bond with former club Atletico Madrid. He, like Gerrard, was born in the team's capital and would sweat blood for the cause. But that didn't stop him leaving. Just as Sergio Aguero has outgrown Los colchoneros (The mattress makers) and will soon leave Atletico, Torres made the decision in 2007. The club was not able to match his ambitions and he upped sticks.
It will be fascinating to see whether failing to qualify for the Champions League - Liverpool have had a poor season and face a battle to finish in the top four - would prompt the same reaction from Torres.
With the club in dire financial straits, could Benitez's worst fears be realized next summer should that cash injection not be forthcoming? Or would Torres' love for the club remain unblemished? It is interesting that Benitez is now acknowledging that the future could be uncertain.
One thing is for sure; Liverpool are very lucky that a player of Torres' quality wants to play for them. The club have not won a league title since 1990 and he could have his pick of virtually every big club in the world.
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