Benitez hails 'amazing' Torres
Rafael Benitez: proud of a "very, very good player'
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Tuesday, 29, Dec 2009 10:19
By James Christie
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez hailed the "amazing record" of Fernando Torres as the Spanish striker grabbed an injury-time winner against Aston Villa.
The goal means that Torres has scored 50 goals in 72 Premier League games - no Liverpool player has reached the half-century mark so quickly.
Andy Cole is the fastest player to score 50 Premier League games, reaching the milestone in just 65 games. Alan Shearer and Ruud van Nistelroy also hit the 50-mark more quickly than Torres.
But the Liverpool talisman can be proud of notching 50 goals more quickly than the likes of Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen and Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is a feat which statistics-obsessed Benitez is sure to be aware of.
Breaking his habit of singling out individuals for praise, he said: "Fernando is a very, very good player, a key player for us and his record is amazing."
The result keeps alive Liverpool hopes of fulfilling the under-fire boss' insistence that Liverpool will finish in the top four at the end of the season.
Benitez said: "The manager has to have confidence in his team. I'm really surprised by the comments about me saying we will finish in the top four."
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is still confident that Villa can achieve a top-four finish.
He said: "Pepe Reina has pulled off some unbelievable saves tonight. We didn't deserve to lose the match, absolutely not, it's a cruel blow. But we'll fight back."