You'll Never Walk Alone

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has warned striker Fernando Torres he cannot expect a guaranteed place in the starting line-up.
The Spain international was left on the bench and openly criticised by his manager ahead of Liverpool's 2-0 Premier League win at Bolton.

Benitez had hauled off Torres after an insipid performance in the embarrassing Carling Cup defeat by Spurs in midweek, although the former Atletico Madrid man is returning from injury.

The Anfield chief publicly condemned Torres for a "bad" display at White Hart Lane, and blamed the senior players for letting down the youngsters.

Torres was given 31 minutes to impress at the end of the victory over Bolton and did not disappoint.

He created a sitter which Steven Gerrard missed, and also hit the post and was thwarted by Jussi Jaaskelainen when the Liverpool skipper had put him clean through.

Torres also provided a sublime pass to set up Gerrard's header to clinch the game after Dirk Kuyt headed Liverpool ahead in the first-half.

Despite his lively display, though, the message from Benitez was clear - not even one of Europe's best strikers is sure of a place.

Benitez said: "The players have to compete for their positions in the side, be it Torres or anyone else.

"Torres has to improve, if he does and he is fit then I will decide what to do, although I expect to be criticised.

"I did not have to explain to Fernando why he was not playing, it was very clear. The team had been playing well and he has to compete for his position.

"He played well when he came on, but then other players who come on as substitute also did well, not just him.

"That is the key if you want to have a winning mentality and a winning squad."

Torres will now join up with the Spain squad this week, having played just 105 minutes of football in nearly five weeks since he was injured on international duty.

Benitez said: "Torres will join up with Spain. I am not happy, but I cannot do anything about it. We are talking to international managers and asking them to protect our players.

"We have asked that the Spanish set-up does not take any chances, that they protect the player."