Rafa Benitez hopes that Fernando Torres' return from injury will fire Liverpool into next season's UEFA Champions League.
The star striker started against Blackburn on Sunday and marked his return to the first XI after knee surgery with the winning goal in a 2-1 Premier League victory.
Benitez admits that Torres is not at full fitness, but he hopes that the Spain international will provide an edge over Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa in the race for fourth spot.
"It was really important for us and really important for him as he will have more confidence," said the Liverpool manager of his forward's goal.
"It was clear he was not fully fit and his match fitness is not the best but he can make the difference and he scored an important goal.
"If he can improve his fitness he will be a very good addition for us and he can be a threat for all the defenders.
"He can create space for Steven Gerrard and the other players and, if you are under pressure, he can score goals on his own."
Benitez added: "The main thing now is to manage him properly and keep him fit and he can make the difference.
"We have Yossi Benayoun coming back, now Fernando and maybe next week Glen Johnson will be fit and available so it will be good news."
Torres has joined the Spain squad for this week's World Cup warm-up against France and there have been suggestions that Liverpool are far from happy with the 25-year-old's call-up.
Benitez has spoken to the Spanish coaching staff about his striker's current physical condition, but just has to hope that there is no injury setback.
"I was talking with the Spanish staff and we know they will take care of him," he added.
"He is an important player for us and hopefully he can keep scoring goals now and help us end the season with a winning run."
The star striker started against Blackburn on Sunday and marked his return to the first XI after knee surgery with the winning goal in a 2-1 Premier League victory.
Benitez admits that Torres is not at full fitness, but he hopes that the Spain international will provide an edge over Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa in the race for fourth spot.
"It was really important for us and really important for him as he will have more confidence," said the Liverpool manager of his forward's goal.
"It was clear he was not fully fit and his match fitness is not the best but he can make the difference and he scored an important goal.
"If he can improve his fitness he will be a very good addition for us and he can be a threat for all the defenders.
"He can create space for Steven Gerrard and the other players and, if you are under pressure, he can score goals on his own."
Benitez added: "The main thing now is to manage him properly and keep him fit and he can make the difference.
"We have Yossi Benayoun coming back, now Fernando and maybe next week Glen Johnson will be fit and available so it will be good news."
Torres has joined the Spain squad for this week's World Cup warm-up against France and there have been suggestions that Liverpool are far from happy with the 25-year-old's call-up.
Benitez has spoken to the Spanish coaching staff about his striker's current physical condition, but just has to hope that there is no injury setback.
"I was talking with the Spanish staff and we know they will take care of him," he added.
"He is an important player for us and hopefully he can keep scoring goals now and help us end the season with a winning run."
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