Reds can cope with Torres absence says Rafa

The Reds have already proved they can win games without their star striker this season and so will have confidence they can continue to pick up points while he recovers from another hamstring injury.

"We have Keane and when we bought him it was with the idea that he can score goals. We also have Dirk Kuyt, David Ngog and Ryan Babel," said Benitez.

"Hopefully they can score enough goals and we can talk about Fernando in three weeks' time.

"We have shown enough quality and character without him and hopefully we can do it again."