Rafa: Torres's euro mission

Rafael Benitez has backed Fernando Torres to end his European goal draught and help fire Liverpool into the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Reds' no.9 has not scored on the continent since the 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea in last season's Champions League quarter-final, but Benitez reckons the striker can put the record straight when they look to overturn a first leg deficit against Lille on Thursday night.

"It was really important to see Fernando fighting from the beginning because it sent a very good message to the other players," said Rafa.

"He was trying to win balls in the air, running and chasing defenders and for the rest of the team that was a good message and maybe he can be an inspiration too.

"The main thing is the attitude.

"Any player in our team has attitude and they are good players and they can play well like Fernando.

"He is a top-class player, he has a good attitude and he can score and be a problem for all defenders.

"At home normally you are attacking more and have more options and opportunities so for a striker it is easier.

"Statistically you have more chances. Away it is more difficult because sometimes you have to play on your own and your team-mates have to go and support you so it is different.

"He was doing well in Lille but it was difficult for him because they have pace, are comfortable in possession and going forward are a threat - so we had to defend.

"You cannot defend against a team with this pace too high because they will get men behind but you cannot defend too deep because they have ability.

"So for our defenders to defend and then go and support Fernando was not easy.

"Ryan was doing well, Kuyt was doing well, Gerrard was doing well, Lucas and Javier had to work very hard in defence."

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The Reds boss also revealed that he was disappointed with the lack of protection given to the Spain forward during the 1-0 defeat at the Stadium Lille-Metropole, claiming too many fouls went unpunished.

 "It is not easy for him. There were too many fouls and too many decisions," said the Spaniard.

"I don't want to talk too much about this because it wasn't the difference but with so many referees (the Europa League have two additional assistants at either end of the pitch) I think they should do better sometimes.

"We have plenty of them but they still make mistakes."

Benitez accepts Liverpool will face a tough task in the second-leg against the French outfit, but remains upbeat about the prospects of their progress.

 "I think they will wait, try to play counter-attack because they know they have pace," he added.

"We know a clean sheet will be important for us but to score one, two or three goals will be necessary."

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