Fernando Torres In Liverpool Squad For Blackburn Rovers Clash - Rafael Benitez

Rafael Benitez - Liverpool (Getty Images)

Benitez commented: "It is not easy to find a player who has been at the club for a long time, 500 games is massive, especially for a big club like Liverpool."

Rafael Benitez clarified the confusion over the availability of Liverpool striker Fernando Torres by revealing that the silky Spanish hot-shot will be included in the squad for the weekend fixture against Blackburn Rovers, but is unlikely to start.

"He will be in the squad for tomorrow, he was training, he was part of the sessions," Benitez said at a pre-match press conference.

"He is better… hopefully he can be available against Fiorentina [in the Champions League] so he can get a couple more minutes.

"It's important he is not feeling pain," Benitez claimed. "The doctor initially said three or four weeks so we are in time, but we will still be talking to him."

On the form of David Ngog, who has been deputising admirably in the absence of Torres, Benitez added: "It is important to have one of the best strikers in the world available.

"We are happy with David Ngog, he scored five goals for us."

Should talismanic attacker Steven Gerrard feature against the Lancastrian opponents at Ewood Park on Saturday, then the skipper will be making his 500th appearance for Liverpool.