RAFAEL BENITEZ concedes it is “strange” that a host of landmark achievements will almost certainly not be enough to win the title for Liverpool.

But the Anfield manager believes it would have been a different story had Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard been in tandem for longer periods of the campaign.

“It is strange,” said Benitez. “It means United are a strong team and have a good team.

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Fernando Torres will be fit for the Manchester United game that could put Liverpool back into the title-race.

Torres said: “I feel good. My ankle felt a little bit painful in the second half against Real but that doesn’t matter in a match like this.

“We will work hard for the rest of this week and I think I will be 100 per cent for Saturday.”

Torres saluted manager Rafa Benitez following the 4-0 win over Real.

Spanish newspaper Sport recently reported that Barcelona could launch a summer transfer campaign to bring Liverpool hitman Fernando Torres to Camp Nou.

The striker looked sharp during the first half of Spain's 2-0 win over England on Wednesday evening, lasting an hour of the fixture before being substituted. After the game, the Spanish publication caught up with him in order to quiz him on the Barca rumours.

Although he responded briefly, there did seem to be a twinkle of interest in the voice of ‘El Nino’, who said, "Barcelona? It would be a pleasure to play with [Lionel] Messi.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has demanded his team-mates 'step up a gear' in the Premier League title race.

The Reds were overtaken by fierce rivals Manchester United at the table's summit on Saturday as Dimitar Berbatov struck late on to sink Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

Chelsea's last-gasp victory over Stoke also piled the pressure on Rafa Benitez's side - who drew with Stoke in their last outing - ahead of Monday's crunch Merseyside derby.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has not ruled out the possibility of returning to former club Atletico Madrid and complete some unfinished business, but he insists it will not happen any time soon.

Torres earned legendary status at Atletico during his 12 years there before moving to Liverpool in 2007.

"I don't know if I will retire there, but I would like to go back and finish some things that are left to do," said Torres.

"When I was there I couldn't do any more, but I would like to go back.

"I hope to experience many things still, but for me it is an exceptional club."

Rafael Benitez, the Liverpool manager, has urged Fernando Torres to listen to his head, not his heart, when making the final decision on whether he will play against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Torres has been mired to the sidelines since October 15, when he tore his hamstring during Spain's World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

The injury forced the 24-year-old striker to miss what would have been a special return to the Vicente Calderon two weeks ago, but he is a genuine chance to feature when Atletico visit Anfield tomorrow evening.

LIVERPOOL duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are two of five Barclays Premier League players in the FifPro team of the year.

Cristiano Ronaldo, following his 42-goal contribution to Manchester United’s double-winning campaign, is joined by one more Manchester United player, Rio Ferdinand.

Chelsea captain John Terry has made the team for the fourth consecutive year.

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has said manager Rafael Benitez was wrong to regard signing Sergio Aguero as too risky, and that the Reds missed out on a bargain.

Fernando Torres disagrees with manager Rafa Benitez whohas claimed that signing Sergio Aguero was a risk not worth taking.

Aguero and Torres played together at Atletico Madrid, and Torres sees his former team-mate as the main danger facing Liverpool ahead of the Champions League clash between the two clubs on Wednesday.

"We knew what Aguero would become from the first training session at Atletico.

Fernando Torres is confident Liverpool can win the Premier League this season but he accepts success will require the best football in Europe.

The Reds are hoping to end an 18-year wait for a domestic league title, but Torres recognises he and his team-mates will have their work cut out.

Spain striker Torres has labelled the 'big four' of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool as the best sides on the continent at present.

"I believe we can win the Premier League or the UEFA Champions League," Torres told LFC Magazine.