Flourishing duo impress Benitez

12 April 2012

The growing understanding between Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard can end Liverpool's shocking recent form at Old Trafford, claims Reds boss Rafael Benitez.

Torres and Gerrard have bagged 46 goals between them this season, and Liverpool head for their showdown with leaders Manchester United on Sunday believing their form is good enough to shock the champions.

Benitez said of his golden double act: "The understanding between players is always important, especially players up front. The partnership between Torres and Gerrard has made a massive difference, it is difficult for teams to stop them both. We are profiting from this.

He continued: "They have trained together for months, and now it is easier for them to work together, it is easier.

"Both are scoring goals and things are easier because they are happy on the pitch."

Torres has become the first Liverpool striker to hit 20 league goals in a campaign since Robbie Fowler 12 years ago, while midfielder Gerrard is one goal short of reaching 20 goals in all competitions for the third time in his career.

But Benitez is also more than happy with Gerrard's advanced midfield role of late, dovetailing well with Torres.

He said: "Steven is happy playing in this position, he is scoring goals and enjoying the way he is playing.

"We had some problems in which we could not control games we should have been controlling. So we decided on two holding players and Steven playing further forward with Torres, and it has worked really well."

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