Rafael Benitez believes 28-goal Fernando Torres will be the inspiration for another European triumph against the odds, insisting he has the big-match mentality to fire his side to the last four of the Champions League.

Liverpool will need their 23-year-old talismanic frontman at his very best when they face Arsenal at the Emirates tomorrow in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

"Fernando knows he is a key player for us, and he knows that if we play well he will score goals," Benitez said. "Three times now in a week we play Arsenal, twice in Europe and on Saturday in the league, and I would expect Fernando to work just as he has done before.

"This, though, is Europe and I know he wants to play well and score more goals. The partnership between Gerrard and Torres is improving with every game. On the pitch they understand each other perfectly, they are both clever players and a it is easy for them to work together. Although of it maybe Fernando has some trouble with Steven's scouse accent."

Benitez, who has only Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell missing ahead of the match, added: "It is the understanding on the pitch between Fernando and Stevie that is the key, and everyone can see how good that has become.

"The players believe Fernando will score, always. They have trust that if they get the ball to him and create chances for him, he will score."

Liverpool have won five successive European games, scoring 19 in the process, and Benitez believes Torres has the temperament to keep that run going against the Gunners.

"Torres scores in big matches. Against Inter Milan, and also Porto and Marseille in Europe, plus important goals against Chelsea and Everton, he has scored against them all.

"He is so competitive and with a very good mentality. Against the top sides you must be focused and confident in yourself.

"He can do this, because if you do not show that attitude against the very top defenders, things become very difficult. But Torres can handle the big occasion.

"Arsenal have a fine style and will play that way. But they know Torres is scoring goals, he is on fire and he will be a big problem for their defenders."

Benitez, who was criticised by certain sections of the Liverpool crowd for his defensive substitutions against Everton, expects his team to go on the offensive at the Emirates.

He said: "We have scored 100 goals this season, which is not bad! When people sometimes say we are defensive, what they really mean is that we are good in defence and also good in attack. "The key to progressing past Arsenal will be to work really hard as a team in defence, because we will be playing against a team that is very offensive. After that it is about determination and going forward to try to win.

"They play very offensively and it's very attractive for the supporters. These are the positive things. When they attack and attack, they have problems in defence, but that is normal. "Our idea is to win and score. It's always important to get an away goal in this type of competition."

He added: "When we play in Europe we have a lot of confidence, and we are playing against Arsenal who people forget we beat 4-1 at Anfield last season. They only mention the cup defeats.

"We can beat them if we do our job and we work as hard as we were working before."