LIVERPOOL (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo may have been hogging the headline ahead of Sunday's Premier League match between Manchester United and traditional rivals Liverpool but Anfield supremo Rafael Benitez believes Fernando Torres could pose just as big a threat at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Ronaldo, who has scored 33 goals already this season, breaking legendary winger George Best's club record the most in a campaign by a winger, has been in sensational form with champions United now three points of Arsenal at the top of the table.
Spain forward Torres has been almost as prolific as the Portuguese, with it 27 goals in 36 games, 20 in the Premier League, this season, including nine in his last six matches.
Nevertheless fourth-placed Liverpool head into this weekend's clash, which forms part of a 'Super Sunday' with Arsenal facing third-placed Liverpool, 11 points behind United.
Asked how Liverpool might contain Ronaldo, Benitez replied: "There is no special plan for him.
"They have Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and the rest. And if you concentrated on just Ronaldo you would lose (control) of the others.
"It is not about stopping Ronaldo. They must think, no doubt, about stopping Torres. Ronaldo is in form. But then Torres is also in form.
"I am happy with Torres's form, and because he is still only 23, I know he can improve.
"It is an achievement to score so many goals in your first season, he is continuing to work hard and that means he is very important for the club.
"People are comparing him with various famous players in Liverpool's history, but I would prefer to wait for a few years and then we can evaluate him.
"He is a good prospect still, and will be much better in the future. I am sure of that.
"It is hard to compare players from different generations. The game is faster and more physical now, but good players will always be good players."
Benitez has managed just one point from seven league matches United since he took over at Liverpool, with an FA Cup win at Anfield two years ago his only victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
"This is a crucial time, and if we do win it takes us closer (to United)," he said. "If we keep winning we get close and closer. But if we lose it will be very difficult to move closer to them in anyway.
"If we win, and then beat Everton the following week, it will make things interesting.
"I know I have not won a league game against United, but we have been very close at times and only lost to last-minute goals."
Meanwhile, Benitez said the international break, after which Liverpool play city rivals Everton and then Arsenal, three times, in a 10-day spell, was an unwanted distraction.
"It is a big problem for all the top sides, playing internationals at this time of the season," he said. "They are only friendlies; I will never, never understand why they are played."
