Recently by Chris Beesley

DERBY match-winner Fernando Torres has hailed unsung heroes Robbie Keane and Dirk Kuyt for providing him with the chances to defeat Everton at Goodison Park.

The Spanish striker, who netted 33 goals in his debut season at Anfield, took his tally to three for the new campaign thanks to his brace on Saturday and was only denied the first Merseyside hat-trick for 26 years by what seemed to be a fussy Mike Riley call when Kuyt was adjudged to have committed a foul.

But while the Dutchman, who was Liverpool's two-goal hero in last season's Goodison derby, has not netted in the Premier League for 10 months and Torres's £20million strike partner Robbie Keane has failed to register in 14 games including friendlies since arriving at Anfield, Torres insists their efforts are crucial when it comes to his own chances.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez insists that Ryan Babel can be more than just a 'supersub' for his side and has challenged the Dutch international to earn himself a regular starting place in his side.

Babel was an unused substitute in Saturday's 2-0 derby victory over Everton at Goodison Park but four of his six appearances so far this season since coming back from the Olympic Games - including when he struck the winner against Manchester United - have been after coming off the bench.

The 21-year-old has netted eight times as a substitute since arriving from Ajax in 2007 and is closing in on David Fairclough's club record of 18 goals from the bench.

However, Benitez is now expecting Babel to push for a place in the starting line-up.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez reckons that derby match-winner Fernando Torres can get even better after his brace inspired the team to a 2-0 victory at Goodison Park.

Torres netted 33 goals last season but on his return to Anfield after leading Spain to glory in the European Championship finals this summer, the former Atletico Madrid striker had failed to match his usual high standards. He went into the Merseyside derby without a goal since the opening day of the season at Sunderland.

However, following on from his derby winner at Anfield back in March, Torres returned to the scoresheet at Goodison with a well-taken double in the space of three second-half minutes.

He could have been the first player to net a hat-trick in the Merseyside derby since Ian Rush's four-goal salvo at the same ground back in November 1982 had referee Mike Riley not disallowed a third effort for an alleged foul by Dirk Kuyt.

STEVEN GERRARD insists that Rafael Benitez has made him a better player during his reign at Liverpool - and the Anfield captain has also praised Fernando Torres for helping boost him as an attacking force.

Gerrard's ability to operate in several different midfield positions to good effect has prompted manager Benitez to deploy him in varying roles during the past five seasons.

And with Javier Mascherano expected to return for the Merseyside derby tomorrow after being rested for last weekend's 0-0 draw with Stoke, the skipper's duties are likely to alter again.

BOYHOOD Liverpool fan Robbie Keane is excited by the prospect of playing in his first Merseyside derby - and reckons the experience at Goodison Park will be even greater than the North London affairs he played in for Tottenham against Arsenal.

Keane, 28, is the latest in a long line of fans who have followed Liverpool from afar and joined the club in recent years, finally fulfilling his lifetime dream of a move to Anfield this summer.

Six seasons at White Hart Lane ensured the Irish international has plenty of experience of local skirmishes involving two of the English football's biggest clubs but he reckons tomorrow's game will eclipse the derbies he played in the capital.