RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Fernando Torres has sounded a warning to Manchester United after firing Liverpool into the Europa League quarter-finals.

Torres scored two second-half goals as Benitez’s side overturned a first-leg deficit by beating Lille 3-0 at Anfield last night in their round of 16 tie.

It was Spaniard’s second brace in four days after he netted twice in the 4-1 win over Portsmouth on Monday night, and the perfect preparation for Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.

Torres scored in the 4-1 win at Old Trafford last year and also netted in the victory over Sir Alex Ferguson’s men at Anfield earlier this season.

And Benitez is convinced his star striker is close to his best form after a season hampered by a succession of injuries.

“Torres was working very hard with the physios with the fitness coach and we are really pleased with their work, they have done a fantastic job,” said the Liverpool manager. “You can see Fernando is fit, he can improve still but you only get match fitness from playing games. He lifts the other players. It makes a big difference when he is playing well and Gerrard is playing well too.

“I would like to say that he is 50% at the moment, I’d be pleased with that! But he is close to 100%. His match fitness is about playing games, he is very close now.”

Benitez added: “This is the momentum we needed going into the United game. We needed some confidence. We played well the other day against Portsmouth and did well tonight too. We have more confidence and hopefully we can get a result at Old Trafford.”

Steven Gerrard levelled the aggregate last night by netting from the spot in the ninth minute on his 300th game as Liverpool captain.

Torres put the Anfield outfit ahead for the first time in the tie on 49 minutes, but there were a few nervy moments before the Spaniard struck again in the final minute.

And Benitez said: “I was only really comfortable when the third went in. Clearly Lille are a good team, they have quality, they have some pace and they are really dangerous.

“So we needed to score the third goal and relax a little bit. It was a really good performance. The players were working very hard together, the fans were behind us pushing the team. It was a good night to enjoy.”