Fernando Torres has expressed the view that Liverpool need "four or five" top-class players.

New faces are needed because the side remain "a long way" from dominating the Premier League, Torres told the Spanish newspaper AS. "If we do not reinforce the squad," he said, "next year all we will be able to do is fight for fourth again.

"Being in the Champions League is not so important for me," admitted Torres of his manager Rafael Benítez's goal of a top-four finish. "What is really important is that the club makes an effort and brings in important players to improve the quality of the squad.

"I want to be fighting for the Premier League, the Champions League or the Europa League, but to do this we need signings to come. We need four or five top-class players to compete, players better than the ones we have."

However, Torres dismissed whispers of a move back to Spain this summer, with Real Madrid or Barcelona.

"I don't plan on going back to La Liga for a while. I have made my move away from home and I owe Liverpool a lot. I like it here, and people have treated me like one of their own. I am very happy here and hopefully my future is here. I think the club deserves to win again, but at this point they know they are a long way away.

"The fans are worried that players are going to leave and that's a problem. But I think the club will go the right way. Since Christian Purslow took over [as chief executive], we have signed a big new sponsorship deal and money has come in. So I think things will move forward."

Torres is contracted to Liverpool until 2013, having accepted more money last May. Asked if he had thought of leaving early, he said: "It's too early to talk about that."