Fernando Torres has rubbished rumours that Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez could be sacked.

Torres said he could not imagine Anfield without his compatriot, and credited Benitez for his fast start in English football.

"I have learned a lot with him, he is someone with whom you can learn a great deal," he told Eurosport.

"He has a lot of experience in football and a great CV, and we all hope to do better for him. And I have to thank him because he helped me take the first step.

"I don't know about [rumours Benitez will be sacked]. I know that everything is magnificent here, and you can interpret that in whatever way you want. But for the moment I can't see Liverpool without Benitez."

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable first season in English football, scoring 30 goals and earning himself a nomination for the PFA Player of the Year award.

The former Atletico Madrid skipper admitted he was surprised at his instant success.

"I am experiencing some very good moments. When I signed for Liverpool, it was to experience moments like that," he said.

"But I just thought that I would need more time; that it would take some time to adapt. I didn't think I would get there quickly, and luckily everything has worked in the first year, and I have profited from that.

Torres revealed that his Spanish colleagues, especially goalkeeper Pepe Reina, helped him adapt, and that he was able to win the fans over by scoring on his Anfield debut.

"When I signed here, I knew that people expected a lot from me. The club paid a lot of money, it was a big investment. I knew the requirements that people would have; the spectators, my team-mates and the manager," he said.

"But I have to say that everybody helped me. When you arrive at a club and everyone does all they can for you to integrate, to make the transition easier on and off the pitch, it's not so hard.

"I have to thank Pepe, who helped me a lot, all my compatriots and the coach who is also Spanish, and who has been important for me.

"Above all, the love of the people from the first day. I was lucky enough to score at Anfield in my first game, and from that day the fans were behind me, and that still continues today."

Torres has terrorised defences with his electric pace, and said the speed of the English game has played into his hands.

"I think the main difference is the speed. It is a very quick style of football, with a high tempo. There are few interruptions.

"Maybe there is not as much tactical work as matches in Spain, including matches between the 'Big Four'. And that allows you more space, to play quickly with players who know how to take advantage of that space and who can give me scoring chances."

While other Spanish imports such as Jose Antonio Reyes and Antonio Nunez have failed to adjust to life in England, Torres relishes the relative privacy afforded to players.

"It's a much calmer life. People respect your private life a lot, they don't hassle you in public places. It is a totally normal life - or nearly normal," he said.

"You can think about football when you need to, and you can go to a shopping centre knowing that you can walk around peacefully. At the end of the day, football is your job and you can concentrate on it more easily."

Alex Chick / Eurosport