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LIVERPOOL (Reuters) - Fernando Torres is key to Liverpool's chances of beating Chelsea and reaching a third Champions League final in four seasons, manager Rafael Benitez said on Monday.
Liverpool scored just two goals in their previous semi-final victories over Chelsea in 2005 and 2007, but their manager now possesses a clinical scorer in Spain striker Torres who will lead the attack in Tuesday's first leg at Anfield.
"The team has confidence when players like Fernando Torres are in the team that can score goals," Benitez told reporters of the striker with a tally of 30 in his debut season.
"The players know that sometimes you are not playing well and maybe you will score because of a player like Torres.
"In this case, the team is playing well and we have confidence because we know Torres can create something."
Benitez, who will have captain Steven Gerrard fit again after missing Saturday's win at Fulham with a neck problem, is predicting another tight game and will be happy to take a clean sheet from the home tie.
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The buildup to this game was dominated by the very public fallout in the Liverpool boardroom. Reds manager Rafa Benitez, who made three changes from the midweek Champions League victory over Arsenal, had to do without the suspended Javier Mascherano, while Daniel Agger, Harry Kewell and Jermaine Pennant were all injured.
Jason Roberts passed a late fitness test for Blackburn, and started up-front alongside Roque Santa Cruz. David Dunn was only fit enough to sit on the bench.
There was a minute silence before the game to mark the nineteenth anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster, when 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives during a tragic human crush.
Liverpool had the first chance of the game on nine minutes, as Steven Gerrard whipped in a corner, and Fernando Torres rose above Ryan Nelsen to glance a header inches wide of the post.
Fabio Aurelio then wasted a chance to test Brad Friedel, slicing the ball off-target after good work from Dirk Kuyt.
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Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has suggested that Ronaldo "carries United on his back in some matches".
With no hint of irony from the man who has scored 22 of Liverpool's 60 Premier League goals this season, Torres has hinted that United are a one-man team.
He suggests that to beat Sir Alex Ferguson's team in the Champions League semi-finals, Barcelona need only to nullify the Portuguese attacker.
"I watch Ronaldo every weekend and he is massively impressive," said Torres.
"He carries United on his back in some matches.
"Barca have no idea how spectacular Ronaldo is or how far ahead of every other player in the world he is right now.
"But if they keep the ball away from him Barca will get to the Champions League final.
"United suffer against teams who keep possession of the ball."
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