Benitez hails quality of Torres

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez praised Fernando Torres after the striker played through the pain barrier in the 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Torres has been struggling with a groin injury but scored the opener against United after Benitez decided on the journey to the game to start with him.

"You could see he was not 100% fit, but sometimes 80% of Fernando can make a difference," said Benitez.

"We were waiting for that final pass. When it came we knew he would score."

Torres was played in by Yossi Benayoun and held off central defender Rio Ferdinand before powering in a shot for the crucial first goal.

He was taken off after 80 minutes with Benitez not wanting to risk aggravating an injury that has limited the amount of training the Spain international was able to take part in ahead of the match.

Phil McNulty's blog

" Benitez knew a fifth successive loss was not an option as he considered the appeal of playing Fernando Torres "

"I talked with Fernando on the coach, and that was when I was really convinced that he could play," said Benitez.

"In the morning I had decided that he would be involved, but I needed convincing he could start rather than just be a substitute.

"Playing Fernando was a difficult decision. He was not training, the same as Steven Gerrard.

"But after talking with him we decided it was better to start the game with him.

"We had to be very careful with him, that is why we took him off near the end."

Torres had missed Liverpool's previous two games and also admitted to feeling the effects of his injury during a game in which he took his tally to nine goals for the season.

"I wasn't really at my best," he told the Liverpool website. "We knew before the game I couldn't play to 100% because I had some pain in some actions, but in games like this the pain doesn't matter.

"I feel a bit of pain when I shoot across so I could only shoot towards the near post (for the goal) - it was the only thing I could do!"

"Mascherano is in my judgement the leading holding central midfield player in world football - It is inevitable that big clubs will covet a player of that quality"

There is speculation that Liverpool could be forced to sell Torres to help their financial situation but the Anfield club's managing director Christian Purslow eased any such concerns for the Merseyside outfit's fans.

"Fernando signed an extension to his existing contract during the summer," Purslow told Sportsweek.

"He has a five-year contract. He is a crucial leader in our team. He loves Liverpool football club.

"Fernando Torres and Liverpool go together and I believe will do so for the length of his career."

Pusrlow also insisted that midfielder Javier Mascherano, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, will be staying at the club and not following Xabi Alonso, who moved to Real Madrid in August, in exiting Liverpool.

"No, it's absolutely not true," when asked if Argentina captain Mascherano was keen to leave Liverpool.

"He is in my judgement the leading holding central midfield player in world football. It is inevitable that big clubs will covet a player of that quality.

"We also had another central midfield player coveted by another major world team during the summer and he left us.

"We sat down with Javier at the time. He reasserted his total commitment to Liverpool.

"He has had a lot going on with the Argentina qualification situation for the 2010 World Cup which is now behind him (as they have made it).

"He is a hugely important player for us and a leader."

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