London  - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez says he would quit if the club decided to sell striker Fernando Torres.

But the Spaniard reassured fans that Torres would not be allowed to leave.

"I'm confident it will never happen. If it did, I'd resign," Benitez told the Times newspaper.

After finishing second in the English Premier League last season, Liverpool have lost five of their first 12 games this term.

Benitez has been criticised at times for his signings, but the club has also had to cope with a mounting injured list that includes Torres and the captain, Steven Gerrard.

"People are worried," Benitez said. "But the team will improve. When we have key players on the pitch we are as good as anyone. We have proved this in the past." (dpa)