Jamie Carragher believes the return of Fernando Torres can fire Liverpool to glory this season.
The Spain international, who netted 33 times in all competitions last season, returned to action as a goal scoring substitute in the 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Preston on Saturday following five weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool's season could be defined by back-to-back meetings with Merseyside rivals Everton in the FA Cup and Premier League later this month.
And Carragher says that having Torres back has provided a massive lift to a squad who have performed admirably in his absence, opening up a three point gap at the top of the table.
"Having Torres back has given everyone a big lift," he said. "It is great when you see a player of that calibre coming back for the second half of the season.
"Hopefully, the time he has been out will refresh him because he had a long season with the Euros.
"A lot of players have played a lot of games this season because the manager hasn't changed it around so much and it will be good to have someone like him to come back in.
"It has been a feather in the cap for everyone concerned with the club that we have reached the top of the table without having the best striker in the world over the last 12 months for periods.
"You miss a player of that quality, but it will give us a lift to have him out there."
The Spain international, who netted 33 times in all competitions last season, returned to action as a goal scoring substitute in the 2-0 FA Cup third round win over Preston on Saturday following five weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool's season could be defined by back-to-back meetings with Merseyside rivals Everton in the FA Cup and Premier League later this month.
And Carragher says that having Torres back has provided a massive lift to a squad who have performed admirably in his absence, opening up a three point gap at the top of the table.
"Having Torres back has given everyone a big lift," he said. "It is great when you see a player of that calibre coming back for the second half of the season.
"Hopefully, the time he has been out will refresh him because he had a long season with the Euros.
"A lot of players have played a lot of games this season because the manager hasn't changed it around so much and it will be good to have someone like him to come back in.
"It has been a feather in the cap for everyone concerned with the club that we have reached the top of the table without having the best striker in the world over the last 12 months for periods.
"You miss a player of that quality, but it will give us a lift to have him out there."
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