Hodgson Relying On Stevie-Torres To Lift Reds

Liverpool will have to rely on Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard to restore success to the club, concedes manager Roy Hodgson. Anfield's often dynamic duo combined to open the scoring in last night's 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic and have been instrumental in all bar one of the Reds' league goals this season, whether as scorers or creators, but could see the burden placed upon them intensifying. Torres' recent return to form in addition to his reunion with sparring partner Gerrard has seen Liverpool unbeaten in their past five Barclays Premier League games and Hodgson believes that the duo will be instrumental in reviving the club's fortunes. He said: "It was an excellent goal and the move and the counter-attack and the combination play once again between Torres and Gerrard which got the latter in for his shot off the underside of the crossbar was another good example. "But that is what you expect from players of their ability. Everyone knows they are international stars of the Premier League. "If we are going to do well this season we need those two firing on all cylinders, we need Torres' goals and Gerrard's manipulation and control of the midfield. "We only saw it in glimpses against Wigan whereas against Chelsea and in our previous victories against Napoli, Blackburn and Bolton it was present in much larger doses. "But it was tough going to Wigan. We are on a good run but after four straight victories you know it is going to be hard to get the fifth. "I suppose I have to be satisfied in some ways we are still unbeaten and we are one more point towards the total we want to achieve."