Fernando Torres has scored 11 goals in 19 Premier League games this season, 14 in all for the frequently injured 25-year-old. The Spanish international scored twice in the 4-0 demolition of Blackburn on Saturday, one a contender for goal of the season.

Defender Jamie Carragher said: "Fernando is one of the greatest strikers in the world, he scored two fantastic goals and it has been really good to have him back in the side and fit.

"It is frustrating thinking what we could have done this season if he had been fit all the time."