Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Benitez: Torres And Keane Will Terrorise Europe

Rafael Benitez is backing Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane to strike terror into defences across Europe this season – starting in Belgium tonight.

Liverpool begin their campaign this evening against Standard Liege in the first leg of their Champions League third qualifying round tie.

Benitez is hopeful that Steven Gerrard will have shrugged off a thigh problem to lead his team out at the intimate Stade Maurice Dufrasne.

Keane will make his competitive Liverpool debut alongside Torres in attack following his £19m signing from Tottenham Hotspur last month.

And despite having shared only 90 minutes of time on the pitch together, Benitez reckons his new-look strikeforce can forge a partnership to rival anything in Europe.

“I think they could be as good as it gets in the Champions League,” said the Anfield manager. “They are both in the top-class level and can be as good as anyone. If they play together more games then they can get better and better.

“I would prefer them to have played together more, but we couldn’t with both Torres and Keane coming in late. It wasn’t the ideal situation but I think it could be enough.

“But both Torres and Keane are prepared enough to play well. Little by little they can get better. If one of them or both can play well on Wednesday, then that would be fantastic.

“In the time they have had together they have played well and we have been scoring goals. They need time but we have confidence in them and I think we played well in the last game against Lazio.”

Keane and Torres were employed in the 4-2-3-1 formation Benitez favoured last season during the 4-1 win at Valarenga, with the duo then paired up front in a more conventional 4-4-2 against Lazio last Friday.

And Benitez added: “Both formations were good as the team was playing well and scoring goals. In both positions they were playing well, they are clever players and it doesn’t matter what positions they play in.

“Everyone knows these are good players. The only thing is they haven’t been playing together a long time. They will need time.”

Benitez also shrugged off the speculation over his future that has been rekindled by the stalled attempt to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa.

“I was really calm last week and really concentrated on the game, we don’t have any big problems,” he said. “I’m being allowed to pick the team without any interference.

“I am not distracted and I am focused on the game.”

Of the Barry saga itself, Benitez added: “If we sign any player he can’t play tomorrow. So I’m not worried about that now, I’m concentrating on this game.”

Benitez intimated he has no qualms in selecting Xabi Alonso, despite the midfielder being ineligible to play for another club in the Champions League this season should he appear tonight.

The Spain international continues to be linked with a move away from Anfield having come close to joining Juventus earlier in the summer.

But Benitez said: “Alonso play… why not? He’s our player, we need him and we’ll use him.”

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