Speculation is yet again rife that Liverpool pair Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard could leave Anfield in the summer if the Mersyeside giants fail to qualify for the Champions League next season.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez was widely quoted earlier in the campaign saying that Fernando Torres was "not for sale at any price." But has now admitted that "Finishing in the top four is the key to keeping everyone together."

Benitez added that Liverpool  "don’t want to sell our big players. We have worked on contract extensions because we want to keep them and keep our squad strong. There would have to be conversations about what is best for the club in that situation and to decide what to do. Clubs haven’t really enquired so I don’t know. All I can say is that I want to keep our best players because they will take us closer to the top four. It is clear that we should look to keep the players that are important to us."

Despite Liverpool ’s poor first half of the 2009/2010 season, Benitez remains optimistic: "We can still reduce the gap at the top if we start winning games. Why not? We have to keep doing our job and if you win some games in a row then I am sure we will be closer to the top four and there will be a different motivation for the players. I have the belief because we have a good team. I think if we get our best players playing at a high level then the others will all follow. Finishing in the top four will help keep players happy and so will progressing in the FA Cup and Europa League. If we are playing well and winning that will help the squad stick together."

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have been linked with moves to both Chelsea and Manchester City in recent months. Torres has scored 12 goals in 19 appearances for Liverpool this season, Gerrard has scored five goals and provided six assists for the Merseyside giants in 2009/2010.