Torres goal delights Benitez
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admitted his delight that record signing Fernando Torres had got himself on the goal trail ahead of next week’s Premier League opener.
The £20m striker scored after just 13 minutes with a clever chip to send Liverpool on the way to a 2-0 victory over Chinese side Shanghai Shenhau in the opening match of the Rotterdam tournament at Feyenoord’s De Kuip stadium.
Substitute Steven Gerrard bagged the second on 64 minutes in what was Liverpool’s penultimate pre-season friendly. They face the host club on Sunday.
Benitez said: “Getting off the mark will give Torres a lot of confidence heading into the new season.
“I was very pleased with Fernando, it was very important for him to score his first goal for Liverpool. He has had chances in every game he has played in pre-season, and for him to get this first goal is great for his confidence.
“I remember when Peter Crouch first joined us and everyone was asking when he was going to score. Torres has now got that and that takes the pressure off.”
Benitez added: “Both goals were really good and I was very pleased with the performance of my players. I thought Emiliano Insua and Sebastian Leto did very well down the left, they had a very good understanding and gave us great balance.
“It is good for us to give all of the squad a game. Javier Mascherano played his first game back, which was important. We have got great competition in all places – that’s very good for me as a manager.”
