Rafa hails terrific Torres

Torres relieved to be back among goals

Last updated: 28th September 2008

Everton v Liverpool Fernando Torres Rafael Benitez pa

Benitez: Delighted for Torres

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez hailed Fernando Torres' match-winning double against Everton as 'massive.'

Torres struck twice in three second-half minutes to give Liverpool a deserved 2-0 win over their local rivals at Goodison Park.

Benitez was delighted to see last season's top scorer end his recent goal drought, with the Spaniard having not scored since the opening day of the campaign prior to the derby contest.

"It was important for him (Torres) and for us that he gets two goals in a derby. It is massive," Benitez told Sky Sports 1.

"They needed to score then, so they were going forward and we got more space and more time.

Benitez was also happy Tim Cahill's late red card had no impact on the outcome of the game.

"The first thing I would say (about the red card) is that nothing changed because we were better than them already at that moment," added Benitez.

"It was a bad tackle but I did not see it clearly."

Relief

Torres was relieved to recapture his goalscoring touch and has set his sights on helping Liverpool mount a serious challenge for the Premier League title.

Asked if he was relieved to get on the scoresheet after six matches without a goal, including five starts, Torres told Sky Sports 1: "After five games, yes. For the fans, for the players it is important to be top of the table.

"I have been working hard, I knew the goals would arrive. Now I want to keep going, scoring in the Champions League and scoring almost every game.

"We know if we can stay near the top of the table in January or February we can win it.

"We must stay in the first three or four of the league and if we can win in the Champions League we can have a fantastic season."