Fernando Torres last night promised the World Cup has not seen the best of Spain - or himself.

And the Liverpool striker revealed he wants showdown talks with new manager Roy Hodgson over his Anfield future.

He was hauled off again in the second half as the European champions also struggled to hit top gear in a 1-0 win over Paraguay and may not even start their semi-final against Germany.

Torres has been substituted in every game that he has started in the World Cup and has looked well short of match fitness and sharpness.

Despite his struggles in South Africa, Torres is a target for Barcelona and Chelsea this summer and he admits he wants to discover Hodgson’s plans at Anfield.

Fortunately for Torres - and Spain - his strike partner David Villa has hit five goals to become the leading scorer at the tournament and his late strike saw off Paraguay.

But Torres admits Spain will raise their game to beat in-form Germany in the semi finals and he is also determined to regain full fitness after knee surgery at the end of last season.

Torres said: “Hopefully the best will still be to come. I hope we have not played at our best yet. I think we can improve and be much better and against teams like Germany we will be because they are an offensive team.

“It is a difficult tournament for me because my fitness is not the best but I am improving every game.

“I am happy for the things I did in the game and in the last game as well. I am feeling better but I still have to improve obviously.”

Torres, who was left on the bench for Spain’s opening defeat with Switzerland, was subbed for Cesc Fabregas after 56 minutes against Paraguay and the most he has lasted before being taken off is 70 minutes against Honduras.

Out-of-sorts Torres was Spain’s hero in Euro 2008 when he scored the winner against Germany and will be hoping for a repeat against them in Durban on Wednesday.

But Torres also accepts that he is still playing his way back to form and fitness and insists he has no problem with Vicente Del Bosque continually substituting him.

“I have to accept my role in this tournament,” admitted Torres. “I didn’t arrive in the best moment especially in terms of fitness especially after two surgeries.

“But I am happy with the things I am doing and hopefully the manager and the team as well.

“The main thing now for us is that Spain can beat Germany. It doesn’t matter who scores. Hopefully we can and if I have the chance to score the winning goal again it will be nice.”

Torres insists he has not been surprised by Germany’s superb performances in the World Cup as they have smashed eight goals in their last two victories against Argentina and England.

But Torres says the chance for Spain to rewrite the history books - this will be their first ever World Cup semi final - by adding to their Euro 2008 title is a huge inspiration.

Torres believes they can overcome Joachim Loew’s in-form Germany and says the performance of their young side is no surprise to him even though the rest of the World Cup has been taken aback as they were given little chance this time.

Torres added: “I am very proud of what we have achieved so far. It is the first semi-final for Spain in World Cup history so this team is making history again.

“I know many teams don’t win the Euros and World Cup. But I want to think of the semi-final and we will see after that.

“We will take it step by step and with humility. It will be a dream but not yet. We are so happy and looking forward.

“We have a massive game against Germany. We know them. We are a very offensive team and they are maybe the most exciting team at this World Cup.

“They have scored four goals in the last 16 and four in the semi-finals so they are very dangerous. But we will still have our chances.

“Germany have not surprised me. I am a big fan of German football. I know all of their players.

“I think the German people weren’t expecting them to play as good as they have been playing but I was sure they would always be there or thereabouts. They are always in the final or semi-final, they are a very good team.”

Torres also believes Germany’s more attacking approach could make for a classic as he also claimed in-form strike partner Villa is the real World Cup danger man.

He added: “Germany is a massive game. They have been one of the best teams in the tournament so it will be like a final.

“They will also try to win, they will try to attack and we can have more space and we can approach that.

“Villa has been very important for us, the key for Spain. He is scoring important goals, he gives us the opportunity to keep looking forward thinking we can win the World Cup.

“The team never had any doubts about ourselves. We always think we can keep going and win the World Cup but we keep going step by step because it is very difficult.”

Back at Anfield, Hodgson is facing a battle to keep some of the club’s biggest names, with Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano all targets for Europe’s big guns.

Torres was signed by Rafa Benitez and now there will be some uncertainty as to whether Hodgson is a big enough name to keep the squad happy and whether Liverpool has enough ambition for future success.

Ex-Atletico Madrid striker Torres insists he is happy Hodgson got the job and says he is focused on the World Cup but he refused to fully commit himself until discovering the new manager’s plans.

Torres said: “I’m sure I will talk with him soon. I have a very important week still here and after that I will have time to talk with him and talk about my future.

“I was happy he got the job. I haven’t had a chat with him yet but I will talk with him soon and we will see his ideas about the future.

“My future is here. South Africa is too important to think after that. I have a contract so it is the reality now.”

Even though Torres dropped short of committing himself to Liverpool no matter what, the Spaniard did make it clear that he respects Hodgson.

Barcelona are tracking Mascherano while Real Madrid’s new boss Jose Mourinho is a long time admirer of Liverpool captain Gerrard.

But Torres dismissed fears that Hodgson is not a big enough name to keep the squad happy and together.

Torres added: “He did really well at Fulham and I am sure he can do better for Liverpool hopefully.

“He is a very good manager. He showed that in the past and in the last season with Fulham and hopefully he will be the right man to give Liverpool the opportunity to be strong again.”