Benitez plans £8m move for Barcelona's France defender Abidal

14 April 2012

Liverpool are lining up an £8million move for Barcelona defender Eric Abidal as manager Rafa Benitez plans a major shake-up in the wake of his side ending the season empty-handed.

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And he has set his sights on France international left-back Abidal, 28, who has been a regular for Barca since his arrival from Lyon last summer. Liverpool hope to recoup some of the fee by selling John Arne Riise to Portsmouth.

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Top target: Benitez wants Abidal as his new left back

As Benitez pressed ahead with his summer spending plans, he was assured that Fernando Torres will be no one-season wonder.

Keeper and fellow-Spaniard Pepe Reina reflected on a remarkable first Barclays Premier League campaign for Liverpool's £21m record signing and predicted an even more prolific output from him next season.

'You have to remember that this is Fernando's first season in England so he will improve,' said Reina. 'As a player, you are always learning and always looking to get better, and that will be his goal for next season.

'English football was always going to be a new challenge for him, but he has adapted really well, better than anyone could have expected. You only need to look at the number of goals he has scored (32 overall) to see that.'

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