Rafa: Torres Must Play, Not Rest

Torres has not quite picked up where he left off last season for the Reds, having netted just one goal so far this term.

The Spanish superstar has been battling fitness problems since returning from post-EURO 2008 celebrations, returning to action last week against Marseille after a hamstring problem.

Some have suggested that the former Atletico Madrid hitman, who scored 33 goals during his first season on Merseyside, should be given a lighter workload until he is match-fit.

But Benitez showed a softening of his once-strict rotation policy by declaring that Torres must start as many games as possible to shake off his physical problems and rediscover his sharpness.

“They had some days off and if he [Torres] goes with the national team you cannot control this situation,” Benitez said. “We need all the players and we try to give one or two days off to some of them.

“Fernando has been injured, so it’s not the same situation. Álvaro Arbeloa, Xabi Alonso and José Reina came back late [from Euro 2008], but they didn’t have injuries, so you can work with them.

“Every player coming back from a tournament like this, one month later they will need time [to regain match sharpness].”

Torres failed to fire as Liverpool played out a goalless draw against Stoke City at the weekend, but Benitez believes the Potters' negative tactics had more to do with that than any fitness issues.

The former Valencia boss added: “Physically he needs to improve, but against Stoke it wasn’t a physical problem. It was difficult because he had less space. They were on top of him all the time.”

Mike Maguire