FERNANDO TORRES made a surprise return to action yesterday – with Rafael Benitez confident the Spaniard can play a pivotal role in Liverpool’s pursuit of Champions League qualification.

Torres came on as a 75th-minute substitute in the Anfield outfit’s dismal goalless stalemate at near rivals Manchester City yesterday.

It was his first appearance since a knee operation following the FA Cup replay defeat to Reading at Anfield on January 13.

Benitez had last week declared there was no chance the striker would be available for the trip to Eastlands.

But after David Ngog suffered a twisted ankle, Torres was thrust into bench duty after impressing during training before the weekend.

And Benitez said: “Fernando trained on Friday and was really good.

“I can guarantee he was training really well.

“Then we had a problem with Ngog who had a twisted ankle and we thought because Torres looked bright in training we could bring him on in the last 20-25 minutes.

“But even as late as first think on Friday morning before training, I thought there was no chance of him being on the bench.”

Yossi Benayoun also made his comeback yesterday after almost six weeks sidelined by a rib injury, and Benitez believes the Israeli and Torres can inspire Liverpool during the final three months of the campaign.

“Both players have been important in the past for us and hopefully they will be important in the future,” said the Anfield manager. “Both made a difference in a lot of games and hopefully they can do it again.”