HUNT: WHY TORRES CAN LAND NUMBER 19

HUNT: WHY TORRES CAN LAND NUMBER 19
Paul Hassall 18 January 2009

Roger Hunt believes the return of Fernando Torres can help fire Liverpool to their first title since 1990.

The club's all-time leading scorer in the league is convinced the Spaniard will give Rafael Benitez's side the edge in the second-half of the season and is tipping his former team to end the campaign with championship number 19.

"They can reclaim top spot if they beat Everton and this is the best chance they have had in a long time. I think they can win it and I think they will win it," Hunt said in an exclusive interview with Liverpoolfc.tv.

"When Liverpool drop points the other teams don't seem to take advantage and with Torres now coming back to fitness, I expect them to go from strength to strength.

"Fernando has had a stop-start season so far, but if he stays fit and gets his form back, then it can only benefit us because he has that extra bit of pace and ability to get a goal out of nothing. With him playing regularly up top, I think we'll have a great chance."

Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid last summer, El Nino has developed a lethal partnership with skipper Steven Gerrard.

It is an understanding Hunt feels could be crucial again this season, and he is also backing Robbie Keane to show his best form in the title run-in.

"Torres has a very good understanding with Gerrard and I think that can be key," he said. "But it's not just Gerrard who can form a partnership with him. I thought when we first signed Keane that he would develop a good link with Torres because he is such a clever player.

"Some say it hasn't quite come off yet, but I think Keane has shown glimpses of what he is capable of. He's scored some goals recently against the likes of Arsenal and Bolton and I think he can still have a big say in the latter stages of the season."