Benitez keen to keep Torres sweet

Published Mar. 30, 2010 10:25 a.m. ET

foxsports

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez admits qualifying for the Champions League will be crucial to keeping Fernando Torres happy at Anfield.

The Spain international has stressed on a number of occasions he is more concerned with significant investment in the squad to make them Premier League title challengers than he is with playing in Europe's elite club competition.

However, considering the state of the finances at Anfield, where the £237million debt has yet to be reduced despite a £110million offer for a 40% share from the Rhone Group, Champions League football may be more attainable than the "four or five" signings Torres wants.

Benitez, who already has an idea of his limited summer transfer budget, certainly hopes so.

"All the players we have at the moment are important and Fernando is one of the key players," said the Spaniard.

"If a striker is scoring goals he is a very important player and in trying to keep him happy the first thing we can do is win the games this year and try to be in the top four."