Former Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has picked three of his Anfield teammates in his ultimate XI.

The Spaniard enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career on Merseyside, scoring 81 goals in 142 appearances during his three-and-a-half-year spell at the club.

Torres did not win a single trophy during that time, but he won the World Cup and two European Championships with Spain, in addition to the 2012 Champions League and two Europa League crowns at club level.

Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard made the cut from the 36-year-old's time at Liverpool, and Torres reserved special praise for the latter, whom he regards as the best player he has ever played with.

"[Mascherano] - A holding midfielder, a player who all the teams need. Hard-working, good with the ball, a player I loved playing alongside in Liverpool. And next to him will be Xabi Alonso, the perfect partner for him - you could see that in our time all together here," Torres told LFC TV.

"Mascherano and Alonso are the perfect combination and we need Alonso's quality with the ball to play. In the midfield, in the most advanced position is Steven Gerrard. This is my icon player.

"I needed Steven in the team; any system, any team. A key player for me and obviously the most important player in that role, as a No.10, a little bit in front of Mascherano and Alonso.

"The best player that I've played with. I've said many times that he is the player who completed my game. There is a 'before and after' since I started playing with him. So an icon player, captain of that team and I would be so happy to be able to play with him again."

Torres also picked Chelsea legend John Terry and Barcelona quartet Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Xavi and David Villa in his side, having played with all four at international level.

TORRES ULTIMATE XI (3-4-1-2): Oblak; Puyol, Terry, Godin; Alonso, Mascherano, Xavi, Iniesta; Gerrard; Villa, Torres