Saturday, September 19, 2009

Liverpool Boss Rafa Benitez Backs Fernando Torres To Return To Free-Scoring Ways


Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has backed Fernando Torres to swiftly discover his deadly touch in front of goal.

The Spanish striker has three goals so far this season, but freely admits that he has not yet reached the incredible standards he has set in two breathtaking seasons in the Premier League.

Benitez, though, is untroubled by the relative lack of form and goals from the Anfield forward, and instead draws a massive positive from the fact that his team are still leading scorers in the top flight, without relying entirely on Torres.

"You know Fernando, he will score goals, there is no doubt about that, so we are not worried at all about him. I think if he gets a goal then he will go on a run and get many more," Benitez said.

"I think he looked much better in the Champions League in midweek. He had to work all summer with his national team and missed a lot of pre-season, but he looked stronger and brighter, and that is encouraging.

"He is working very hard and we have complete confidence he will score goals. He has shown he is prepared to work hard and we know the goals will come."

Benitez is pleased that Liverpool have shown they can cope even without their top scorer dominating so far, with the likes of Dirk Kuyt and Yossi Benayoun impressing in front of goal.

His side travel to West Ham this weekend, and the manager believes when Torres really starts to fire, the Reds will be a difficult proposition for any opponents.

"We are happy that we are scoring goals even when Fernando isn't," Benitez added. "To be able to find goals from other players and not just your top scorer is a very good thing, and I think we are in a good position."

Javier Mascherano could return to the Liverpool side to face his former club at Upton Park, but Benitez is unlikely to make many more changes from the team that beat Debrecen in midweek.

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