Liverpool’s goalscorer from the Everton FA Cup clash, and club manager Rafa Benitez, both heralded the Spanish striker’s assist in the Reds equaliser in Sunday’s draw. The two players, who built up an excellent understanding during Torres’ first season on Anfield, have scored 53 goals between them, and Benitez is looking forward to seeing their partneship florish again now that Fernando is back from injury.

“We know the understanding between both was crucial last season, it will be again this season now they are back together again. In some games they can kill defenders with their skills. The goal they created was excellent against Everton in the cup.”

“He showed that the understanding between him and Gerrard will be crucial for us for the rest of the season. What he did to send Gerrard away is something you do not see from many players. He certainly needed a good runner to get on the end of it! Fernando also needed to be aware of where Gerrard was, to see him and to find him with the ball. It was certainly something very special.”

Steve Gerrard converted Torres’ magnificent pass into Liverpool’s equaliser, earning his team a replay against Everton at Goodison Park. “The key was that piece of skill from Fernando Torres, that is what he is all about. He is not just a goalscorer, he has fantastic awareness.”

However, Benitez believes his fellow Spaniard “is almost back to his best”, and there was a mouthwatering glimpse of his real talent in yesterday’s FA Cup fourth-round draw with Everton to prove it.

 

Photo: J.A. Sirvent