Torres backs Liverpool

Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has backed himself and strike-partner Steven Gerrard to rip apart Chelsea's defence in Wednesday's Champions League quarterfinal.

"Stevie has been getting a lot of praise from some of the best players in the world," Torres told the AFP. "That is quite right because I think he is the best in the world. He is a great team player but he can also win a game on his own when maybe we are not playing so well.”

"I cannot think of a player I would rather be playing with. We know it is not going to be easy against Chelsea but both Stevie and I are happy with our form."

Torres and Gerrard have combined to devastating effect since Gerrard was moved out of the midfield and into a forward position following the departure of Robbie Keane.

Together the two strikers have powered a late-season revival by Liverpool, helping the Merseyside club come within a point of Manchester United on the Premier League table.

Wednesday's match between Chelsea and Liverpool represent's the fifth year that the two sides have met in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Liverpool have emerged as victors in three previous encounters while Chelsea claimed the spoils in 2008.