Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has spoken of his pride in Fernando Torres' Euro 2008 triumph as he has once again raided his homeland to bring in a new face at Anfield.
Benitez, overseeing the club's return to pre-season training, has given Torres an extra three weeks' holiday, along with the other Liverpool players in Spain's European championship-winning squad.
Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa will all get extended breaks after Spain's outstanding performance in beating Germany in last night's Vienna final - their country's first major honour in 44 years.
Benitez and Liverpool are basking in the reflected glory of their Spanish contingent, with Torres' winner in Vienna breaking the hearts of the German side.
The manager was quick to praise record signing Torres, who suffered some heavy criticism from the Spanish media during the tournament.
‘I am very proud of Fernando, especially after he has been criticised from some journalists in Spain,’ Benitez said.
‘Everyone in Spain remembers the Marcelino goal from 44 years ago (when Spain were last European champions), and the last final Spain were in was 24 years ago.
‘Now people will talk about Torres in the same way, I am very proud of him and what he has achieved.’
When the Spanish players do return to Anfield they will find former Liverpool and Valencia defender Mauricio Pellegrino installed as first-team coach.
Pellegrino played 12 matches for Liverpool under Benitez in 2005, having previously shared the title triumphs at Valencia with the Anfield boss.
The 36-year-old Argentinian has been working as a youth team coach at Valencia but will now return to Merseyside to join the backroom team that also has Sammy Lee recently installed as assistant manager.
Last season Benitez lost coach Alex Miller, who took up a management job with JEF United in Japan.
Today also officially marked the departure of former coach Pako Ayesteran from Liverpool's payroll, having been on 'gardening leave' for much of the last campaign after a fall-out with Benitez.
Benitez said of Pellegrino: ‘His role will be first-team coach, and he will also carry out specialist training sessions.
‘He can also work specifically with the defence, and also the reserves.
‘Pellegrino has a winning mentality. He won the Inter-continental Cup before going to Spain with Barcelona and Valencia.
‘He has a lot of passion. When I asked him to come he was very pleased, but first he wanted to find out if there was a school where his three children could play good football. He is a football man.’
Benitez will now move in the next few days to sort out the future of midfielder Alonso, who has been on the verge of a move to Juventus since before Euro 2008 started.
Many Liverpool fans doubt the wisdom of selling a player who has become a European champion with club and country in the last three years, having played and scored when Liverpool won the Champions League against AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005.
But is seems Liverpool's paymasters believe Benitez has to sell before being able to complete the move for Aston Villa's Gareth Barry, with boss Martin O'Neill now saying that an £18million fee will secure the midfielder.
Benitez has already pulled in £4million from the sale of another Istanbul hero, John Arne Riise, while reserve goalkeeper Charles Itandje is set for a £2million move to Galatasaray.
Liverpool had 18 senior players report for training, with others who had been involved for their countries during the summer being given an extra week off.
