Torres will have a tougher season

Rafael Benitez expects life to be tougher for star striker Fernando Torres next season, but believes he has the character to cope with the extra attention he will receive from Premier League defenders.

The Spanish forward has scored 32 goals in a remarkable first campaign in England, including the winner on Sunday in Liverpool's final home game of the season against Manchester City.

And Torres, runner-up in the PFA and Football Writers' Footballer of the Year polls last week, has now equalled the 23 goals record of Ruud van Nistelrooy - the highest number by a foreigner in his first season in the Premier League.

Benitez said: "Fernando has been amazing, and he has reached that total without any penalties.

"Clearly it will be more difficult for Torres next season, defenders will have watched him and will work on stopping him.

"But he can improve even from this. He has a strong mentality and he can cope with what defenders do.

"It will not be easy to score this many goals again, obviously it will be more difficult for him.