Yossi: Reds will win Europa for Torres

Yossi Benayoun today set his sights on helping Liverpool win the Europa League for Fernando Torres - as the Reds embarked on their 1,200 mile trip to Madrid.

With the fallout of volcanic ash from Mount Eyjafjallajokull still causing enormous disruption, Liverpool will travel by rail, road and air - stopping in London, Paris and Bordeaux - to play the first leg of their semi-final with Atletico on Thursday night.

The prospect of that gruelling trek was made all the more palatable last night, though, as the Reds eased past West Ham United at Anfield, with Benayoun among the scorers in a 3-0 victory.

They will, however, face a much more difficult assignment in the Vicente Calderon, one that has been complicated further by the fact Torres will be absent after undergoing surgery to repair the damaged meniscus in his right knee.

But Benayoun says Liverpool's players have a responsibility to make light of their number nine's absence and hopes they can give him a fillip by winning the trophy in Hamburg next month.

"It is always good to win and get some confidence back before an important game," said Benayoun. "We are in a good mood to go to Madrid and try and win there, too.

"We want to win a trophy and we are very close. We need to do everything we can to get a result so that we can come back here in good shape for the second leg. I'm sure we can.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.