Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has set a target to beat a goal scoring record that has stood for 103 years, by becoming the first Reds player since Jack Parkinson in 1906 to score 35 goals in 50 league games if he scores twice against Aston Villa on Sunday.
The Spain international was one of the scorers against Manchester United last weekend in the massive 4-1 win at Old Trafford, which led to the title race being back on for the Reds.
Manager Rafael Benitez has praised his striker and captain Steven Gerrard for their contribution to the Reds' season so far.
Speaking to Football365.com, Benitez said, "People talk about them as two strikers these days. How many will they score? Certainly more goals than anyone else we have.
"They are fantastic players, very important for us, so for us to see Torres and Gerrard maybe scoring 20 goals each every season would be a massive boost.
"We need them and we know the team is better when they play together."
The pair scored an astonishing 54 goals between them last season, but that has nearly halved this year to 29, with both players suffering injuries this term.
However, despite the slow stop start season, Torres has endured says he is now relishing the rest of the season and hopes to bag more important goals for the Reds.
"People seem to be marking me tighter and getting closer to me than last season, but that is only normal.
"After last season, they are more aware of me and how I like to play. They know how me, and Steven, like to play, passing the ball between us.
"Unfortunately, we have not been able to play together as much as we would have liked this season because of injury. But when we do, it is up to us to adapt to overcome whatever is put in front of us.
"We have had a lot of league draws this season, too many at home, but in general the opposition's approach to us seems to be different to last season.
"We have been up near the top of the table for a long time, so a draw against Liverpool is like a victory for some teams.
"That is why it has sometimes been difficult for us to play well at home. Teams just come to Anfield to defend, we know this and we have to improve at home when teams play like this against us.
"We have drawn six home league games, which is not normal for a team in our position in the league, but that is the nature of the Premier League."
Liverpool boss Benitez now feels that thanks to their 4-1 triumph over bitter rivals United, the club are now back in the title race.
"I know how much winning at Manchester United means to our fans. You only had to be on the motorway coming home with them last weekend to realise that.
"But we must put that result behind us now and concentrate on winning against Villa.
"We are four points behind Manchester United and they have a game in hand, so only by winning every game we have left can we have a say in the title race."
Liverpool currently sit in third place going into the crunch match against Villa on Sunday, hoping to make up even more ground on United.
The Spain international was one of the scorers against Manchester United last weekend in the massive 4-1 win at Old Trafford, which led to the title race being back on for the Reds.
Manager Rafael Benitez has praised his striker and captain Steven Gerrard for their contribution to the Reds' season so far.
Speaking to Football365.com, Benitez said, "People talk about them as two strikers these days. How many will they score? Certainly more goals than anyone else we have.
"They are fantastic players, very important for us, so for us to see Torres and Gerrard maybe scoring 20 goals each every season would be a massive boost.
"We need them and we know the team is better when they play together."
The pair scored an astonishing 54 goals between them last season, but that has nearly halved this year to 29, with both players suffering injuries this term.
However, despite the slow stop start season, Torres has endured says he is now relishing the rest of the season and hopes to bag more important goals for the Reds.
"People seem to be marking me tighter and getting closer to me than last season, but that is only normal.
"After last season, they are more aware of me and how I like to play. They know how me, and Steven, like to play, passing the ball between us.
"Unfortunately, we have not been able to play together as much as we would have liked this season because of injury. But when we do, it is up to us to adapt to overcome whatever is put in front of us.
"We have had a lot of league draws this season, too many at home, but in general the opposition's approach to us seems to be different to last season.
"We have been up near the top of the table for a long time, so a draw against Liverpool is like a victory for some teams.
"That is why it has sometimes been difficult for us to play well at home. Teams just come to Anfield to defend, we know this and we have to improve at home when teams play like this against us.
"We have drawn six home league games, which is not normal for a team in our position in the league, but that is the nature of the Premier League."
Liverpool boss Benitez now feels that thanks to their 4-1 triumph over bitter rivals United, the club are now back in the title race.
"I know how much winning at Manchester United means to our fans. You only had to be on the motorway coming home with them last weekend to realise that.
"But we must put that result behind us now and concentrate on winning against Villa.
"We are four points behind Manchester United and they have a game in hand, so only by winning every game we have left can we have a say in the title race."
Liverpool currently sit in third place going into the crunch match against Villa on Sunday, hoping to make up even more ground on United.
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