Fernando Torres eager for Steven Gerrard reunion - Liverpool FC latest

The pair have not been in the same starting XI since the 3-2 win at Manchester City back on October 5.

Of the 10 games in which Torres and Gerrard have appeared together, the duo have contributed 10 goals, the most recent of which came when the former crossed for the latter to score in the 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers 11 days ago.

And Torres, whose hamstring injury ruled him out of both group draws against former club Atletico Madrid, said: "I wanted to play for a club like Liverpool, where I could learn from players like Steven Gerrard, who I have always respected as a player and a leader.

"A captain in England must lead by example. Steve Gerrard is someone everyone wants to be like - always the first at training, it is he who grafts the hardest in each exercise, who sacrifices himself during each match.

"You follow him blindly. Moreover, he is a star who decided to stay at Liverpool despite all the offers.

"It is a pleasure to receive the throughballs you get from Steven. He puts the ball where he wants, like Xavi (Hernandez) for the national team."

Torres has proven a huge success since arriving from Atletico for a club record fee almost 18 months ago, scoring 33 goals in his first year and having netted five times so far during an injury-affected campaign.

But the Spain international has revealed he believed he was the victim of a hoax when the call from Liverpool came.

"Rafa Benitez phoned me on my mobile," said Torres. "At the start, I was asking myself if this was some person imitating him. So I called Pepe Reina to make sure it really was Rafa's number.

"Then after that, I didn't have to think for long. I knew that was the call I had been waiting for.

"The club is a symbol of a city which fought to stay alive. Everyone is proud of the team. Players want to come here

because they know that Liverpool is a truly great club.

"Anfield is the most English of all the grounds - people live and breathe football there. With just 45,000 fans there, that roar they give makes you think you have wings on your feet."

Of playing in England, Torres added: "It isn't easy to adapt but once you have, you would have trouble wanting to play anywhere else. The Premier League is way ahead of the Spanish league.

"You go to play away at a team in the relegation zone and you find yourself playing on a perfect pitch, with the stands full to bursting.

"And even if they lose, the crowd are going to cheer them on until the death. You only see this in British football."

The return to fitness of Gerrard, who netted twice in the 2-1 win at Marseille in Liverpool's opening Group D game, could mean Robbie Keane dropping to the bench as Benitez considers reverting to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation. Martin Skrtel (knee) and Philipp Degen (foot) are Liverpool's only major absentees.

TONIGHT'S officials are from Portugal, with Olegario Benquerenca the referee.