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London - Fernando Torres admits he won't celebrate if he scores on his Chelsea debut against Liverpool on Sunday as a mark of respect to his former club.
Torres will face his old team-mates in his first appearance for the Blues at Stamford Bridge this weekend following his British record 50 million pounds (80 million dollars) transfer from Liverpool.
The Spain striker's blockbuster move provoked an angry response on Merseyside as Liverpool fans burned shirts bearing his name, while former Reds stars accused Torres of betraying the Anfield club because he asked for a transfer in a bid to force through Monday's deal.
Torres is adamant he enjoyed his time at Liverpool despite the tumultuous nature of his exit and he has too much respect for his old fans and team-mates to celebrate if he scores on his debut.
"First of all I have to play, after that I have to score. Things have to happen. But I have big respect for Liverpool fans, so I don't think so," Torres said at his official unveiling at the club's training ground on Friday.
"I only have good things to say about the Liverpool people and the supporters particularly. I had a great three and a half years there. They made me feel really good there.
"I will never say anything bad about that club, that city. I understand they will be angry and won't understand my decision.
"But some of the top players left the club, and I didn't understand it. Then I realised they did the best for themselves and their families and their careers.
"I'm sure the fans will eventually see what I did here and will think it was fair. Football is like this. From one day to another, people love you and then hate you.
"I never lost my ambition at Liverpool. Too many people are talking about that, but it's just their opinions.
"I've always been trying to help the club move forward but when I had the chance to join Chelsea, I couldn't say no."
Torres admits he had been considering a move away from Anfield for several months because he felt the team were no longer good enough to challenge for trophies.
Although he has World Cup and European Championship medals with Spain, Torres has won virtually nothing in club football and he felt Chelsea offered a much better opportunity to fill his trophy cabinet, with success in the Champions League his top priority.
"As soon as I knew that Liverpool and Chelsea were talking, I told them then that the decision was made and I would like them to talk seriously about the possibility," Torres said.
"I was the first one to go to the manager and all the people to tell them I'd like to leave. I can't tell you the date, but maybe 10 or 12 days before the close of the transfer window.
"For all footballers, the Champions League is the main thing. I know the ambition this club has to win the Champions League. It's the same ambition I have.
"The ambition is to keep winning trophies every year. I have the same motivation as them.
"I have been in this situation before when I signed for Liverpool, big money, big expectations, so it's nothing new for me.
"I'm more than ready for the challenge. I'm excited about this new life and this new era I have in front of me."
Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti will have to change his 4-3-3 formation to play Torres alongside Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba, but the former Atletico Madrid forward insists he doesn't mind which position he plays.
"The only thing I want is to play and help the team. It doesn't matter if it's with two, one or three strikers," Torres said.
"I can play in different positions, and I know the way Chelsea play. When you have players with the quality Chelsea have, it doesn't matter the way Chelsea play."
