Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has again praised Dirk Kuyt for the way he has filled the void left by crocked star man Fernando Torres.

Ahead of their Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid, Benitez said: "Without Fernando we know the option is to play Kuyt up front, and it works well for us.

"He can score goals, we always know that. He is a very important player for us, a special player who works so hard.

"He can play on the right very well, but now he may have to stand in again for Torres and I have every faith in him. He is a player with so much industry in his game, any manager would be happy to have him in their side."