Fernando Torres told Steven Gerrard he wanted out of Liverpool BEFORE he handed in his transfer request, it has been revealed.
The People says Torres, edging closer last night towards a £50million move to Chelsea, was desperate to let his captain know before he heard it via official channels.
Gerrard welcomed Torres with open arms when the Spaniard arrived on Merseyside in 2007.
And Torres felt he owed Gerrard the courtesy of face-to-face talks.
A close friend said: "The motive for Fernando to leave Liverpool is not money but football.
"He wants to win titles and, at this moment, it is not clear that he can do that at Liverpool."
