Fernando Torres has praised Rafael Benitez, claiming that the Liverpool boss was his inspiration during his brilliant stint with the Spanish national team in the Euro 2008 Finals.

In his debut season for the Reds, the 24-year-old fired in a remarkable 33 goals, and also broke Ruud van Nistlerooy’s record of the highest number of goals scored by a foreigner in his debut season in the Premiership.

Torres reckons that Benitez’s constant urge for improvement helped him while with the Spanish national side, where he led the side to Euro glory after 44-years by scoring the only goal of the match in the final showdown against Germany.

"There are days when you think: 'My God, this guy (Benitez) doesn't let you breathe'," Torres told the club's website.

"At a club like Liverpool, you can't sit back after scoring 20-odd goals and say: 'Well, that's it.' After you score 20, Benitez is at you during the next training session and stays on top of you all day, all week."

He added: "He (Benitez) tells you to go off on your own and do new exercises. I want to progress in life, not relax, not be complacent, and you need someone close to you telling you to keep at it.

"It is impossible to do it otherwise. We don't always fancy someone that close but, in the long term, I am sure that everybody will thank him for it."

Torres also claimed that he admires the way English international Steven Gerrard guides the team, setting an example to all "He's a great example, and those of us who have been in a similar situation know how difficult it is to handle.

"It's incredible the way he (Gerrard) carries himself regardless of what is going on around him. I'd love to be captain of another team one day and Steve has shown me how to be a great leader."