Rafa talks up strike duo

Benitez confident Torres and Keane will score goals

Last updated: 13th August 2008

Rafael Benitez July 30

Benitez: Confidence in duo

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Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool duo Robbie Keane and Fernando Torres could be the best strike partnership in the UEFA Champions League this season.

Torres enjoyed a stunning debut campaign at Anfield and will be joined in attack this term by new signing Keane.

The big-money pairing is expected to make its first competitive appearance on Wednesday night in Liverpool's Champions League qualifier with Standard Liege.

And Reds boss Benitez is confident that Keane and Torres have the potential to be on a par with any strikers in Europe.

Top class

"Keane and Torres are clever players, they scored plenty of goals last season and when they have played a lot more games together for us, they will score here too," said Benitez.

"These two strikers are top class, and they can be at the level of anyone in this competition. They will get better and better.

"They will need time. It has been a difficult summer with players arriving for training at different stages, but I have no worries about them in the future."

With a place in the lucrative group phase at stake, Benitez also warned his players against complacency ahead of the first-leg tie in Belgium against Liege.

He added: "Liege are in good form, they beat Anderlecht last weekend in the Belgian super cup, and last season in their league they barely lost a game and went over 30 without defeat at one stage.

"They did not concede many goals, they have a strong defence and a quick attack. We must concentrate."