Hands-off Torres, warns Benitez

Speculation has suggested that Chelsea could be planning to make a £50million bid for the Liverpool striker this summer.

Reds co-owner Tom Hicks has already stressed that Liverpool will not consider cashing in on Torres, and Benitez has also been quick to warn off Chelsea.

Torres enjoyed a superb debut season at Anfield and Benitez is not surprised that rumors have started to surface, but he insists there is no chance of the Spanish striker being let go.

"The situation is very simple - we do not want to sell Fernando Torres," Benitez told the Liverpool Echo.

"If a player does a good job for his team, like Fernando has for us, then it is sometimes easy for people to speculate that he might be wanted by other clubs.

"I am not aware of any offer being made by Chelsea but even if there was (a £50m offer) my answer would be the same - he is not for sale.

"We are trying to add to the spine of our team and that means keeping players like Fernando, Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher."