Liverpool Boss Benitez Backs Keane To Fill Torres Void

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is backing Republic of Ireland International Robbie Keane to fill the void in attack at the Reds after Fernando Torres unavailable for the Merseyside club due to tearing a hamstring on International duty with Spain.

Former Atletico Madrid striker Torres has been ruled out for 10-15 days after limping out of Spain’s World Cup qualifier with Belgium in the first-half. Benitez is now looking to Keane to provide the goals to keep the momentum going in the Reds best ever start to a Premier League campaign.

28-year-old Keane is yet to score for Liverpool in the Premiership since his summer transfer from Tottenham Hotspur, but did break his duck for Liverpool in the Champions League against PSV Eindhoven. With Keane also scoring the winner for Ireland against Cyprus on Wednesday.

Benitez is now confident that the goals will continue to flow from Keane, with the Spaniard fully aware the Irishman has the quality to fill the boots of Anfield favourite Torres.

Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: “When we signed Robbie we were looking for a striker with experience in the Premier League, someone with quality who could score goals.

“That is why we signed him, so hopefully now with him being on fire with the national team this will be an opportunity for him.

“It's important for the players when they go away to play well, and when they score goals it's great for their confidence. It's very good.”

Benitez has also applauded the u-turn of UEFA in allowing their Champions League clash against Atletico next week to remain in the Spanish capital.

“It was sensible. It was too late to change the stadium," said the boss. "We have a lot of fans going to the game, so it'd be a massive problem for us and our supporters.

“It would also have been a problem for Atletico and for their fans getting to the game.”

Torres is set to miss the trip to Madrid, but Atletico have invited the striker as a VIP guest for the tie, with the EURO 2008 winner a cult hero at the Vicente Calderon, before his move to Liverpool.

“It depends on the physios and the doctors, but I don't have any problem with him going because it will be a fantastic opportunity for him to say hello to the Atletico fans," said the gaffer.

“He is really disappointed that he won't be playing. He was desperate to play in Madrid in the Champions League, so it's a pity.”