Torres backs Keane partnership

Fernando Torres has disputed claims that he and Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane struggle to form an effective partnership for Liverpool. The Spanish striker, who scored 24 league goals last season, has suffered no less than three hamstring injuries this term, but is confident he can now build an effective strikeforce with the €22.3million signing from Tottenham.

Speaking after finishing third in Fifa’s world player of the year awards behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Torres said: "Yes, sure we can play together - but the boss decides, he’s the manager and he’s a fantastic manager.

“Sometimes not all the players can play together in the same team. But I have played with Robbie a lot of times and we’ve scored goals when we’ve played together.

“I think we are going to play together, depending on the game.”

Benitez may well favour the partnership in Monday’s Merseyside derby against Everton after the Spaniard scored two against their great rivals earlier in the season, with Keane laying on the first with a deft chip to the back post.

The brace, however, accounts for two thirds of Torres's haul in his six starts with Keane this season, while the Irishman has yet to find the net when partnering the Spaniard.

In those six games, Liverpool have scored just five goals, three from Torres, one from Steven Gerrard and one Emanuel Pogatetz own-goal for Middlesbrough.

Considering his injury plight,Torres has been impressive with a total of five goals in 10 appearances, but he is desperate to make a bigger impact on the season.

“I feel much better, and I hope to come back to play in the first XI as soon as possible. Then I can forget the injuries and start to play again for Liverpool who are in a very good position this year.

“I don’t know if I can play 90 minutes yet but for sure I can be in the squad, but of course I want to be in the first XI.

“I didn’t do pre-season properly after the Euros, the season started too soon and you are trying to keep the best physical stamina but it’s difficult when you have to play three games a week. Now I want to stay a perfect 100 per cent, and not get injured again.”

The 24-year-old denied that Liverpool were going through a sticky patch and in doing so allowing Manchester United to catch back up.

Torres said: “I don’t think so, and we now have two derbies which are big games for the city and for Liverpool.

“If we can win the derby in the league we can stay in first position and then afterwards if we win again in the FA Cup it gives us a lot confidence. I think two consecutive derbies is not a bad moment for Liverpool.

“We are top of the table and we have to enjoy that.”