Fernando Torres is likely to face the sternest test of his credentials over the coming weeks as Liverpool prepare for a run of matches that promises to shape their season, but Xabi Alonso believes that the Spain striker is flourishing at Anfield because there is less pressure on him than there was at Atlético Madrid.

Torres became the first Liverpool player to score 20 league goals in a season since Robbie Fowler 12 years ago with the winning strike in the 2-1 victory at home to Reading on Saturday. It took his tally in all competitions to 27 and Alonso claimed that his club and international team-mate is benefiting from not being over- burdened with responsibility, as often appeared to be the case at Atlético before his £20.2million move to Anfield last summer.

“Fernando has improved,” Alonso, the midfield player, said. “He has got rid of the pressure he had at Atlético Madrid. He is feeling really comfortable playing with his team-mates at Liverpool and because of this he is getting better and better each day, which is good news for the team.

“He has settled into the Premier League very quickly and that is encouraging because it can be difficult coming into a new league. He has shown he is not afraid of the physical contact here, with defenders trying to put him off, and that is really important.”

Liverpool face Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League at Old Trafford on Sunday in the first of five matches over a 17-day period, but after seven successive wins in all competitions, Alonso believes that the team could not be in better shape going into the match. “We are in a good moment, playing well and scoring goals,” Alonso said. “It is going to be a big game [against United], we know their qualities, but we are really looking forward to it.”