LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool rejected Fernando Torres’ transfer request yesterday as English Premier League rival Chelsea pursue their star striker.

The 26-year-old Spain international stunned Liverpool by demanding to leave a day after a £35-million ($56-million) bid from Chelsea was turned down by owner John Henry.

“Fernando Torres tonight submitted a written transfer request, which has been rejected by Liverpool,” a club statement said. “Fernando is under long-term contract and the club expect him to honour the commitment he made to Liverpool FC and their supporters when he signed the agreement.”

Torres joined Liverpool for a club-record £20.3 million (then $40.6 million) in 2007 from Atletico Madrid and is under contract until 2013.

But he has struggled with injuries since returning from Spain’s World Cup triumph last July and his teammates have struggled to compensate for his poor form.

Liverpool are seventh in the Premier League, nine points behind Chelsea in the fourth Champions League spot, although before back-to-back victories the team had been closer to the relegation zone.

The written demand from Torres yesterday is the first major setback for Kenny Dalglish, who returned as manager this month to replace Roy Hodgson.

But as Torres was requesting to leave, the club clinched a deal with Ajax for Luis Suarez subject to the striker passing a medical examination.

The transfer fee, which could be worth up to euro26.5 million ($36 million), would make the Uruguay international Liverpool’s biggest signing since being bought by the Fenway Sports Group in October.

Liverpool have permission to discuss personal terms with the 24-year-old Suarez, who has scored 111 goals in 159 matches since joining Ajax in 2007.