Rafa Benitez conceded last night that star striker Fernando Torres is suffering a hangover from the incredible 12 months which catapulted him to world fame.
Torres is now a major candidate to become World Footballer of the Year after scoring a staggering 34 goals in his first season at Liverpool.
He then grabbed the winner for Spain in the European Championship Final.
But such high profile exploits have taken their toll on the shy 24-year-old, who admits he is uncomfortable in the spotlight.
And Benitez explained that the Spanish superstar is struggling for form and fitness at the start of the new campaign, after a punishing workload during his first season in the Premiership.
"We have to accept that Nando is not at the level that he can play because the pre-season has been difficult for him, and also because he has been injured," Benitez revealed.
"He had a big first season with Liverpool and then went all the way to the final with Spain.
"We need to remember that Fernando came back late because of the European Championships.
"That makes it difficult for him and he is not yet 100 per cent fit.
"Physically, he is not at his normal level and I would be really worried if he was right now because it would mean in two months' time he would struggle after everything he has been through."
Benitez knows that Torres is far from his best after such a draining year, but believes it is better for the club that the striker remains low profile in his return to full fitness and comes back gradually.
"I am not worried about him at all. He has quality and he can play well.
"He is 24 and will only improve. I am sure that every week he will be better," said Benitez. "Remember, he has had his pre-season disrupted and it is different for a striker than a midfielder or a defender because they are under more pressure and if you have been injured and not fit it is more difficult.
"He will improve little by little - the same as the other players. But he is not our only option.
"When we signed Keane we knew we were getting a striker who can score 15 goals every year.
"The question was to add the goals of Keane to the goals of Torres and Gerrard.
"At least we can change if we need to change something in a game, or use different players if one is unfit or out of form.
"Against Manchester United we had Keane and Kuyt and it worked very well. We didn't need Torres for that game, so we have many more options this time.
"But don't worry. Fernando will get back to his best level."
It is more likely that he will miss the Carling Cup game against League One Crewe.
Torres is now a major candidate to become World Footballer of the Year after scoring a staggering 34 goals in his first season at Liverpool.
He then grabbed the winner for Spain in the European Championship Final.
But such high profile exploits have taken their toll on the shy 24-year-old, who admits he is uncomfortable in the spotlight.
And Benitez explained that the Spanish superstar is struggling for form and fitness at the start of the new campaign, after a punishing workload during his first season in the Premiership.
"We have to accept that Nando is not at the level that he can play because the pre-season has been difficult for him, and also because he has been injured," Benitez revealed.
"He had a big first season with Liverpool and then went all the way to the final with Spain.
"We need to remember that Fernando came back late because of the European Championships.
"That makes it difficult for him and he is not yet 100 per cent fit.
"Physically, he is not at his normal level and I would be really worried if he was right now because it would mean in two months' time he would struggle after everything he has been through."
Benitez knows that Torres is far from his best after such a draining year, but believes it is better for the club that the striker remains low profile in his return to full fitness and comes back gradually.
"I am not worried about him at all. He has quality and he can play well.
"He is 24 and will only improve. I am sure that every week he will be better," said Benitez. "Remember, he has had his pre-season disrupted and it is different for a striker than a midfielder or a defender because they are under more pressure and if you have been injured and not fit it is more difficult.
"He will improve little by little - the same as the other players. But he is not our only option.
"When we signed Keane we knew we were getting a striker who can score 15 goals every year.
"The question was to add the goals of Keane to the goals of Torres and Gerrard.
"At least we can change if we need to change something in a game, or use different players if one is unfit or out of form.
"Against Manchester United we had Keane and Kuyt and it worked very well. We didn't need Torres for that game, so we have many more options this time.
"But don't worry. Fernando will get back to his best level."
It is more likely that he will miss the Carling Cup game against League One Crewe.
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