Anfield legend Steve Nicol, who is currently coach of MSL team New England Revolution on Sunday said Liverpool squad  is not good enough compared with the teams above them but admitted that Fernando Torres is a best striker who can not be ignored.

"The bottom line is that, compared with the teams above them, Liverpool's squad simply isn't good enough," he said according to The Mirror.

"I mean, take Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres out of the equation, and how many players would be in Chelsea's team? Or Manchester United's? It's not many.

"From halfway on last season, it seemed that the shackles came off and they were going after teams and playing their football with enjoyment. Then when this season started it seemed all that had gone.

Torres was replaced on Sunday with David Ngog after just 63 minutes of  a game and Nicol was not happy with Benitez’s decision saying Torres is world class player who need to be used at all times.

"Torres is world class, and you'd want to use him at all times. I was lucky enough to see two really great Liverpool sides. When I first joined we had people like Souness, Dalglish, Kennedy, and McDermott in the side, and then later under Kenny [Dalglish] we had Barnes, Beardsley and Rush.

"Torres can already be safely mentioned amongst those players. His record is phenomenal and he still has time on his side. He is one of the best around already, that's for sure, so it seems strange not to use him whenever you can, because he has the class to always get you a goal."

Liverpool are struggling to finish fourth spot in English Premier League this season with Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur also in the race and their hopes faded when they drew 1-1 with Birmingham City at St. Andrews Stadium on Sunday.

Photo courtesy: Steven Gerald website