No guaranteed spot at Bolton for fit-again Fernando Torres - Liverpool FC latest

But with Rafael Benitez admitting Torres is "two or three weeks" away from his best, the striker may find himself back on the bench for this afternoon's early kick-off at Bolton Wanderers with Dirk Kuyt and now Robbie Keane having been in goalscoring form during his absence.

"You could see against Tottenham that Torres is very, very short on sharpness and he will need time," said Benitez.

"He is training well and I think in two or three weeks he will be again ready. But it's difficult to say with strikers.

"If I said he was not sharp enough and he could easily go and score two goals - sometimes it's a question of confidence as well. The team is doing well so he has to compete for his position.

"It's not a risk to start Torres against Bolton.

"He started the other day because he is available, it's not a problem. But I've got to decide whether I want to change something."

Liverpool can temporarily go back to the top of the Premier League with victory at the Reebok Stadium today.

Their fine form in October, including ending Chelsea's 86-game unbeaten home league record, was enough for Benitez to be yesterday named Barclays Premier League manager of the month, the fourth time the

Spaniard has won the award.

Pepe Reina, Fabio Aurelio, Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, Albert Riera, Kuyt and Keane will all come back into the reckoning for a starting role today.

With Alvaro Arbeloa serving a one-match suspension, Benitez must decide whether to move Carragher across to right-back or hand a full debut to 20-year-old Stephen Darby.

Philipp Degen filled the position at White Hart Lane but it emerged yesterday the Switzerland international suffered a broken bone in his foot during the match and will be sidelined for at least a month.

Meanwhile, Benitez has revealed preliminary talks have begun concerning a new contract at Anfield.

"I want to clarify the situation over my new contract," he said.

"My advisor has had contact with the club's owners, and they will have a meeting in the future, hopefully next week.

"But I want to make it clear that no details were discussed. Not the length of the contract, nor money or any conditions.

"I want to concentrate on football. For me it has to be done quickly because I don't want to be talking every press conference about this."