Rafa lauds dangerous duo

Gerrard and Torres: Benitez praise

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• Liverpool

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• Steven Gerrard
• Fernando Torres

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has hailed the growing understanding between Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Torres has made an incredible impact since he joined The Reds from Atletico Madrid for £26.5million last summer, netting 27 goals so far this campaign.

Gerrard, meanwhile, has formed an impressive understanding with the Spaniard, with the duo running riot in Liverpool's last seven victories.

And ahead their Grand Slam Sunday encounter against league leaders Manchester United, Benitez is sure that Gerrard and Torres propel him to his first win at Old Trafford.

Easier

"They have trained together for months, and now it is easier for them to work together, it is easier," he said.

"Both are scoring goals and things are easier because they are happy on the pitch.

"Steven is happy playing in this position, he is scoring goals and enjoying the way he is playing.

"We had some problems in which we could not control games we should have been controlling. So we decided on two holding players and Steven playing further forward with Torres, and it has worked really well."

Disappointed

On going seven league games without success over United, Benitez added: "As a manager I am disappointed that we cannot seem to beat them in the league. We get closer, and closer.

"But we are getting closer, we have confidence and know that we are capable of winning at Old Trafford. The team is playing well, and the difference could be a small detail or one fine player."