Benitez fears Torres will be crocked

On the day chief executive Rick Parry expressed his belief that Liverpool have their best chance in 10 years of winning the championship following major investment from their American-based owners, Benitez revealed his fears for their record £21million signing.

Floored: Torres suffers at Reading

The Liverpool manager was furious with the treatment dished out to Spanish striker Torres by Reading on Tuesday night and has demanded that football's authorities get tough or risk losing the league's most attractive players.

Benitez said: "People keep wondering whether Fernando will be in the starting line-up on Saturday when they should be asking why he isn't getting more protection. That is the real question and it needs addressing. Every time he goes out there he faces a physical problem from centre backs. People have to decide whether they want football to be worth watching or not."

Torres scored a hat-trick at Reading but was repeatedly hacked down by Michael Duberry and Andre Bikey during the 4-2 Carling Cup victory and Benitez argued that video evidence should be studied and acted on to prevent the game being spoiled as a spectacle.

Benitez said: "It is fortunate that he is a strong boy and can stand up to the challenge, but there is always a chance he could pick up an injury that may keep him out for two or three days, or even two or three months.

"I was trying to explain my feelings during the game about how he was being kicked all the time but I do not need to now. Watch the video and make your own minds up. Everyone should do that and decide whether they want to watch that kind of football or a better standard. The answer is clear — players with quality must be given better protection."

Benitez believes Torres is the key component in his assault on the Premier League crown this season — a belief shared by Parry.

The Anfield chief executive assessed the early impact of a £45m summer revamp of Benitez's squad and insisted it had created a conviction about their title prospects that had not previously existed in his decade at the club.

Parry said: "I absolutely feel we are better equipped to last the course than at any time in my time here. This is the strongest squad I can remember and it has been a case of so far so good in the opening weeks."

Although refusing to be drawn on the internal strife at Chelsea, where owner Roman Abramovich's views on signings and selection evidently contributed to manager Jose Mourinho's departure, Parry pointedly saluted co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks for putting money at Benitez's disposal without telling him how it should be spent.

"It is fair to say they don't want to be too hands-on and don't want to try to pick the team," he said. "They have an understanding of how things operate, of the model they are working with.

"They are involved with sport in America and just want the best for the team and the club. Quite simply, they have been wholly supportive in the best possible way, and the right way, and the results are there to see.

Anfield fury: Benitez was angered by Reading's treatment of Torres

"Their backing in the summer was phenomenal. No one can question that or their commitment. We felt when we decided to go with them that they shared our passion for success where it mattered. They genuinely wanted to see results on the pitch and definitely put their money where their mouths were.

"I'm not having a go at other clubs and I readily accept that the true measure of how far we have come will become clear in May when the top prizes are handed out.

"It's not our style to make any foolish predictions and when you look at the start Arsenal have made, Manchester United's investment in the summer and the players Chelsea have, you have to believe it's going to be a really competitive title race.

"But we are content with the investment we made and excited about what we might do this season. The key is to make sure we are still in that they shared our passion for success where it mattered. They genuinely wanted to see results on the pitch and definitely put their money where their mouths were.

"I'm not having a go at other clubs and I readily accept that the true measure of how far we have come will become clear in May when the top prizes are handed out.

"It's not our style to make any foolish predictions and when you look at the start Arsenal have made, Manchester United's investment in the summer and the players Chelsea have, you have to believe it's going to be a really competitive title race.

"But we are content with the investment we made and excited about what we might do this season. The key is to make sure we are still in they are fully tuned in to the opportunity it brings and wholly in favour."

Benitez, meanwhile, appeared to side with Manchester United over their objection to Chelsea's Avram Grant being allowed to manage without a Pro Licence.

"It is important that people in a position like that have the right qualifications," he said. "You have to look at each case carefully and consider how much experience the person involved has. But when you are preparing a team for a game in the Premier League it has to help to have these qualifications behind you.

"There were problems about this in Spain some years ago and I have always felt it is beneficial to have completed the relevant course and be qualified to do the job."