Benitez believes the 20-million-pound man will go into the new Premiership season next week full of confidence after an impressive 13th-minute strike.

Substitute Steven Gerrard bagged the second goal on 64 minutes in what was Liverpool's penultimate pre-season friendly.

"Getting off the mark will give Torres a lot of confidence heading into the new season," Benitez told the Liverpool website.

"I was very pleased with Fernando, it was very important for him to score his first goal for Liverpool. He has had chances in every game he has played in pre-season, and for him to get this first goal is great for his confidence.

"I remember when Peter Crouch first joined us and everyone was asking when he was going to score. Torres has now got that and that takes the pressure off."