'We can't let Torres score'

Martin Skrtel is relishing the prospect of marking Fernando Torres on Sunday - and admits he'd love nothing more than to stop the former Liverpool man scoring.

The Spaniard has fired seven goals this season but so far in his Chelsea career has failed to recreate the form which at one time made him a Kop favourite.

Even so, Skrtel believes Torres remains one of the most dangerous strikers in world football.

"Now he is playing for Chelsea and if I play I will be marking him," the Slovakian told Liverpoolfc.com.

"It's going to be special but we have to look after him because even if he isn't scoring goals at the moment he is still one of the best strikers in the world and still dangerous.

"We have to keep our eye on him for 90 minutes and not let him score.

"I haven't seen Chelsea play too many times this season but from what I've heard his performances are better than last season.

"It's going to be hard playing against him but I believe in my qualities and the quality of our team and I believe we won't let him score."

Asked if he would rather score himself or stop Torres scoring, Skrtel added: "Definitely stop Fernando scoring a goal because as a defender the main job on the pitch is to stop the striker scoring and try to keep a clean sheet.

"I always look forward to every single game I can play for this club. These big games are special and Sunday will be special."

Chelsea started the season in impressive form, storming to the top of the table; however, Roberto Di Matteo's side faltered in their last two Barclays Premier League games against Manchester United and Swansea.

"They got a few wins and played good football," said Skrtel. "They are close to the top of the table and it's going to be a tough game. Games against Chelsea are always tough and this one is going to be the same and we just hope we can get the three points.

"They have got a good team and a lot of attacking players but we will go there and try to play our game and if we can continue with the performance we gave in our last game against Newcastle and play our game with a lot of movement, a lot of passing it could be good against them.

"We need to change the small things and take our chances because I'm pretty sure we will create chances there.

"Every single game is different and it's going to be different on Sunday. The game always starts at 0-0 and it's about our performance on the day. I hope our performance will be better than Chelsea and we can get the three points."

The last time the two sides met, Liverpool were rampant at Anfield as they put four past Chelsea; however, three days previously Kenny Dalglish's side had lost out in a hard-fought FA Cup final to the London club.

"It was a big disappointment because we got to the final and we lost," admitted Skrtel. "It's always hard because you look forward to everything about that day and in the end we finished second. It's not nice but that game was last season and we need to try and revenge them and try and get the three points."

After 10 games the Reds are six points behind the top-four spot and Skrtel insists it is crucial they keep the pressure on teams above them if they are to achieve their goals this season.

"If we want to finish in the top four then we need to keep as close as we can," he said. "Unfortunately we didn't win in our last game but these things happen in football.

"The season is long and there are still a lot of games to play, and come the end of the season I hope we can finish in the top four. We are just going from game to game and trying to get as many points as we can."