Liverpool Unite Around Torres´s Goals

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has become a beacon of light amid a public dispute between Reds manager Rafael Benitez and the club's American owners, George Gillett and Tom Hicks, over transfer policy.

The Spain striker's goal in the 4-0 win over Bolton last weekend was his 11th in 17 matches and left the Reds six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal in third place.

Liverpool haven't been champions of England since winning the last of their record 18 titles in 1990 but hopes are growing at the north-west side that they may be getting themselves into position to mount a sustained challenge.

Meanwhile keeper Jose Reina is just glad to be in the same team as Torres after playing against his compatriot in Spain.

"I was Fernando's favourite goalkeeper back in Spain, he put so many goals past me," Reina said.

"Fernando has been getting better and better over the last few weeks. He has become a very important player for us, he has pace, and he can now finish.

"He has the qualities to play consistently at a very high level, and now he is at that level in England. He is quick, strong and clever. He has great movement and can be aggressive to cope with playing against big defenders.

"He is so important. He can be a target player, but he can play other roles. Let's see how much more he can progress, I believe he will do that."

Torres, who joined Liverpool for more than 20 million pounds (40 million dollars) from Atletico Madrid, has scored four goals in five games.

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain who himself has scored eight in nine, said of the forward: "Getting into double figures before Christmas is great for him and the team. We know if we get him chances, he will score."

However, Benitez added there was plenty of work left for Liverpool to do if they were to be crowned English champions for the first time since the creation of the Premier League.

"We haven't hit the high standards that we are capable of, not just yet. We can improve a lot, we have injuries at the moment and when they are all fit we will have even more players with quality.

"It will mean we can change players during the game and for different matches to give us fresh legs to be able to maintain the level we require.

"We need to play every game with a very high tempo, and with more players fit and available we will be able to sustain that," the Spanish boss added.

"To win a title it is not just about winning games and staying close.

"It is all about the small details and they can make a big difference. We can play better but we are in a very good position."