Gerard Houllier is full of praise for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

After watching Torres and Spain teammate David Villa dismantle Russia this week, Houllier gushed: "He was outstanding, and so was David Villa.

"Their partnership is very interesting. The way they work together. The diagonal runs they make are very clever, very exciting."

The former Liverpool manager added: "'Torres is a wonderful player and he has had an excellent first season at Liverpool. I only wish I'd had the money to buy someone like him when I was in charge there."