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Gerrard backs Torres at San Siro
Steven Gerrard believes Fernando Torres will kill off Inter Milan's hopes of a Champions League comeback against Liverpool at the San Siro on Tuesday.
The Spaniard has hit 25 goals in 34 games, and Gerrard is backing him to fire the Reds, who lead 2-0 after the first leg, into the quarter-finals.
He said: "We will be looking to hit them on the counter-attack, and Torres plays that game better than anyone.
"But we will have to play as well as we have done anywhere this season."
Inter will be without Marco Materazzi after his sending-off in the first-leg and Gerrard believes his replacement will face a torrid task trying to contain Torres.
"The lad who comes into their side for Materazzi will not be looking forward to his 90 minutes against Fernando," he said.
Gerrard knows Inter will be a different proposition in front of their own fans, but believes no side can contain Torres at the moment.
"Not only can you stick the ball over the top and let him chase it, but he can make things happen himself like he did against Marseille earlier in the tournament, when we needed to win in France to go through to the last 16.
The growing partnership between Gerrard and Torres has seen the Spaniard describe his skipper as "one of the best players in the world".
And Gerrard is sure that Torres will be Liverpool's match-winner in the San Siro.
"He's brilliant, fantastic. I wouldn't swap him for any other striker anywhere," said the England midfielder.
"He has been massive for us and gives us so many different options up front. He's banging them in and always looks a threat every time he plays.
"You can play him on his own or with a partner and he just adapts perfectly.
"When you look at the impact he has made in just seven months here, it means that no-one now can make excuses about needing time to settle.
"I feel England suits him even better than Spain. He suits the constant flow and the rough and tumble of the Premier League better than the stop-start technical La Liga.
"He is just a kid really in football terms, and he is going to get better and better.
"That is a frightening thought, but not for us. It's frightening for the defences he is going to be coming up against."
Gerrard believes Liverpool can survive in the cauldron of an 80,000-packed stadium and says he's eager to experience a game there for the first time.
He said: "I will relish playing in the San Siro, I've never done it before and it's another one off my list.
"Fans like going to famous grounds to watch us, and as a player I want to play in the cathedrals around Europe.
"I've played in the Nou Camp and a lot of famous stadiums around the world, but this is a new one for a few of us.
"If we get the attitude right, take our chances and believe in ourselves it will be another night to remember."
However Inter boss Roberto Mancini believes a packed San Siro will boost their chances of overcoming the 2-0 first leg defecit.
He said: ""I believe a full stadium can make the difference. If the match is going well, the crowd could be decisive.
Mancini also hinted he may play five across the midfield despite the need for goals.
"With many unavailable, it could be a possibility," he said. "To overhaul a 2-0 scoreline we will have to be perfect from every point of view.
"We must play the perfect match, trying not to give Liverpool space. I am not pessimistic, I believe it is possible to go through."
Gerrard backs Torres at San Siro
Steven Gerrard believes Fernando Torres will kill off Inter Milan's hopes of a Champions League comeback against Liverpool at the San Siro on Tuesday.
The Spaniard has hit 25 goals in 34 games, and Gerrard is backing him to fire the Reds, who lead 2-0 after the first leg, into the quarter-finals.
He said: "We will be looking to hit them on the counter-attack, and Torres plays that game better than anyone.
"But we will have to play as well as we have done anywhere this season."
Inter will be without Marco Materazzi after his sending-off in the first-leg and Gerrard believes his replacement will face a torrid task trying to contain Torres.
"The lad who comes into their side for Materazzi will not be looking forward to his 90 minutes against Fernando," he said.
Gerrard knows Inter will be a different proposition in front of their own fans, but believes no side can contain Torres at the moment.
"Not only can you stick the ball over the top and let him chase it, but he can make things happen himself like he did against Marseille earlier in the tournament, when we needed to win in France to go through to the last 16.
The growing partnership between Gerrard and Torres has seen the Spaniard describe his skipper as "one of the best players in the world".
And Gerrard is sure that Torres will be Liverpool's match-winner in the San Siro.
"He's brilliant, fantastic. I wouldn't swap him for any other striker anywhere," said the England midfielder.
"He has been massive for us and gives us so many different options up front. He's banging them in and always looks a threat every time he plays.
"You can play him on his own or with a partner and he just adapts perfectly.
"When you look at the impact he has made in just seven months here, it means that no-one now can make excuses about needing time to settle.
"I feel England suits him even better than Spain. He suits the constant flow and the rough and tumble of the Premier League better than the stop-start technical La Liga.
"He is just a kid really in football terms, and he is going to get better and better.
"That is a frightening thought, but not for us. It's frightening for the defences he is going to be coming up against."
Gerrard believes Liverpool can survive in the cauldron of an 80,000-packed stadium and says he's eager to experience a game there for the first time.
He said: "I will relish playing in the San Siro, I've never done it before and it's another one off my list.
"Fans like going to famous grounds to watch us, and as a player I want to play in the cathedrals around Europe.
"I've played in the Nou Camp and a lot of famous stadiums around the world, but this is a new one for a few of us.
"If we get the attitude right, take our chances and believe in ourselves it will be another night to remember."
However Inter boss Roberto Mancini believes a packed San Siro will boost their chances of overcoming the 2-0 first leg defecit.
He said: ""I believe a full stadium can make the difference. If the match is going well, the crowd could be decisive.
Mancini also hinted he may play five across the midfield despite the need for goals.
"With many unavailable, it could be a possibility," he said. "To overhaul a 2-0 scoreline we will have to be perfect from every point of view.
"We must play the perfect match, trying not to give Liverpool space. I am not pessimistic, I believe it is possible to go through."
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