Torres not a Liverpool great yet, says Benitez

Liverpool: Liverpool's Spain striker Fernando Torres has been told by manager Rafael Benitez that he is not one of the club's greats just yet.

"Everyone is talking about him and comparing him to players but I think it's too soon," Benitez said on Thursday.

"You need to wait some years into a player's time at a club and then you can say someone is a star," he said.

"At the moment, he is a very good player and a good prospect. He can get much better in the future."

The Spain striker is the first Liverpool player to score 20 league goals since Robbie Fowler 12 years ago and has done so in his debut season after moving from Atletico Madrid.

Fowler is considered one of the greats at the club and was nicknamed God by fans who idolised his scoring ability.

However, Benitez hailed the scoring record that has made Torres second top scorer in the Premier League behind Manchester United's Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who has 24.

Fantastic achievement

"It's always a fantastic achievement - whether it's in the first, second or third season - to score that many goals," Benitez said.

"But to do it in the first season is really good for him because he's a new player who's had to settle down. I think he can continue improving and working hard, and that will be really good for the club."

Torres, who has scored 27 goals in all competitions this season, will try to improve his record in Sunday's clash with leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Benitez has yet to manage a Liverpool side that has beaten United in his four years at Anfield.

"We've been really close in a lot of games but have sometimes had really bad luck, like conceding in the last minute after missing a lot of chances," he said.

"But this is another opportunity. I think we have enough confidence now to keep winning, but it will be a big test against United because they have a lot of good players. We have confidence, we are playing well and if we keep playing at the same level we don't need to fear anyone."

Liverpool are fourth after an inconsistent season and trail leaders United by 11 points with eight games remaining.