If Benitez goes, we all go - Torres warns Liverpool owners not to sack Rafa - Sport - Evening Standard
       

If Benitez goes, we all go - Torres warns Liverpool owners not to sack Rafa

Fernando Torres has warned Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett that all their best players will leave the club if they sack manager Rafael Benitez.

Torres, who scored in Liverpool's 4-0 victory over Bolton at Anfield to help lift the club to third in the Premier League, insists it is vital Benitez stays in charge.

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On song: Fernando Torres has warned Liverpool's owners not to sack Rafa Benitez

Benitez has fallen out with the owners over their transfer policy, but the fans showed they are fully behind the 47-year-old after staging a mass protest to support him at their Champions League game against Porto last week.

"He cannot leave. The fans have given their verdict and it was clear. Benitez has created a team of people who are indebted to him. It's certain if he goes many players will think about their futures. Benitez is not just another manager. He created a team and put his faith in players that owe him a lot."

The speculation over his future has not affected the form of Liverpool, who took their goal tally to 21 from their last five games with the demolition of Gary Megson's side.

Goals from Sami Hyypia, Torres, Steven Gerrard and Ryan Babel secured the victory, although they had Bolton's Nicolas Anelka to thank for missing an open goal when the score was still 1-0.

Benitez believes the club, who are six points behind leaders Arsenal, have a better chance than ever to win the title for the first time since 1990 and said: "The last three years we were too far behind at this stage. Now we are closer, we have a better squad and confidence.

"We must keep going and see whether our rivals make any mistakes. We have a lot of games now in December and January, we must keep everyone focused and concentrating. If we do not make mistakes then we will be closer."

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