Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is banking on star double-act Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to pull his side out of their worrying slide.

The pair grabbed 53 goals between them last term, but this season they have frequently been kept apart by Torres’ persistent injury problems.

However, Benitez believes his fellow Spaniard “is almost back to his best”, and there was a mouthwatering glimpse of his real talent in yesterday’s FA Cup fourth-round draw with Everton to prove it.

Torres’ juggling act and spectacular backheel to send Gerrard through for the equaliser in the 1-1 stalemate was the high point of the 210th Merseyside derby.

And Benitez knows that he needs both of his world-class stars firing on all cylinders with Liverpool’s season threatening to come off the rails.

Statistics reveal Liverpool have lost just two of 34 games this season and are unbeaten in their last 14.

And they are undefeated in their last 11 in the Barclays Premier League. But six of those 11 have been draws and they have lost top spot to Manchester United.

Two home draws with a belligerent, injury-hit Everton in league and cup in their last couple of games have further underlined the mounting problems for Benitez.

Now he will look to Gerrard and Torres to inspire his side as the season’s business end approaches.

He said: “We know the understanding between both was crucial last season, it will be again this season now they are back together again.

“In some games they can kill defenders with their skills. The goal they created was excellent against Everton in the cup.

“The piece of skill from Torres to create the goal shows that he is getting very close to his best again.

“He showed that the understanding between him and Gerrard will be crucial for us for the rest of the season.

“What he did to send Gerrard away is something you do not see from many players. He certainly needed a good runner to get on the end of it!

“Fernando also needed to be aware of where Gerrard was, to see him and to find him with the ball. It was certainly something very special.”