Rafael Benitez's vow on hero Fernando Torres

The Spain international was left on the bench for last night's 2-1 victory over Wigan, although his 64th appearance, off the bench, proved to be timely as he scored the crucial second goal 14 minutes later.

Torres' scrambled home his 61st Liverpool goal on his 100th appearance for the club after David Ngog had put his side ahead with a glancing 10th-minute header.

Charles N'Zogbia's injury-time consolation caused some concern but the Reds held on for only their fourth win in 16 matches and just their second at Anfield since September 26.

The arrival of Torres, who missed six matches with a hamstring injury from the beginning of November, was vital to Liverpool's success and Benitez expects plenty more goals from his compatriot.

Benitez explained he held back Torres for his 100th appearance until the second half as the striker is still feeling the effects of having missed six matches since the start of November.
"I wanted to keep him back because he was really tired after the last game (Sunday's defeat to Arsenal)," said the manager.

"I told him I wanted to protect him and it would be good for me to play him at the end and he was good too.

"I think he will be ready for Portsmouth."

Benitez admitted victory was the most important thing on an emotional night when the club marked the 50th anniversary of legendary boss Bill Shankly's first game in charge with a host of former stars were paraded at half-time.

"It was very important to win, to get three points, with a lot of positives," said Benitez.

"It does not matter if we couldn't score more goals and be more relaxed in the second half but, at the end of the day, three points is key.

"We needed to get these three points and be ready for the next game. We are thinking about one game at a time so now Portsmouth (on Saturday) is the target."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez's side have now won only two of their last 10 matches and are just two points clear of the relegation zone, having conceded the most goals in the Premier League with 17 in their last four away games.

The Latics boss felt that had substitute Jason Scotland not blasted a close-range volley against the crossbar five minutes before Torres scored the result could have been different.

"I have mixed feelings. The first goal is really soft for our standards, it was a lapse in concentration," he said.

"When you come to places like Anfield if you do that you are going to make things very difficult for yourself.

"The key moment is when Jason Scotland hit the crossbar. If that had gone in it would have been a completely different game as you could see the anxiety around the ground.

"We gave them a little bit too much respect and space in spells and the concentration was not what it should be.

"Liverpool got their chances and took them; we got ours and didn't."