Jamie Carragher says the fitness of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be crucial if they're to pip Manchester United for the title.

The Reds meet the league leaders at Old Trafford on March 14 and Carragher is hoping Torres can help them put the pressure on United before the sides meet.

He added: "United have got a bit of a lead on us at the moment but if we can close that gap before we go to Old Trafford next month, that would put us in a great position - especially if we are in form at the time of that game.

"Fernando has been scoring goals recently, but if we can get him back firing like he did at the end of last season it's going to be a massive boost for us.

"Fernando is the best striker in the Premier League, if not the world, so to be where we are already after playing so much of the season without him is a great credit to the lads, staff and management.

"It would be interesting to see how other teams would cope without having such an important player on the sidelines for so long."