Rafa backs Torres to be red-hot hit

Rafael Benitez is backing Liverpool's record signing Fernando Torres to succeed where Fernando Morientes failed in the Premier League.

Morientes failed to settle following his move to Anfield from Real Madrid in 2005, managing just eight goals in 41 appearances before leaving for Valencia last summer.

The pressure is sure to be on Torres to bolster Liverpool's firepower after the Merseysiders signed the 23-year-old from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth just under £20 million, which also saw Luis Garcia move to the Vicente Calderon.

But Benitez, who has cast doubts over Craig Bellamy's future, expects Torres to settle quickly, telling reporters: "The difference between Torres and Morientes is massive.

"Morientes is a fantastic player and a very good professional but he needed to be close to the box and he's a great finisher. But Fernando (Torres) can be deep, he can run, he can go both sides, he can keep the ball.

"He's a different kind of player and physically he is stronger than Morientes. I think he will do better in the English league. He gives us more options up front and he's the kind of player we needed."

While Benitez will be looking to strengthen his options out wide in midfield, the Reds boss has played down talk of making a possible move for Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze.

The Spaniard, who is being bankrolled by Liverpool's US owners Tom Hicks and George Gillette, added: "We are working on other areas, maybe two or three things will be enough.

"At the end of the day I'm really happy with the squad but there are two or three things we can do."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.