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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has assured Fernando Torres that the club will be active in the summer transfer market in a bid to hold on to the Spanish striker.

Ahead of Liverpool’s crucial clash with Manchester United today, the Mail on Sunday report that both Benitez and managing director Christian Purslow have held talks with Torres.

Joe Bernstein reports in the Mail on Sunday that "To placate Torres, Liverpool are looking to sell squad players like Albert Riera , Ryan Babel and Alberto Aquilani this summer to raise £30m, which will then be invested in top-line talent."

Liverpool boss Benitez said: "We can talk with Torres and go forward. He is happy and we don't want to sell him."

The Merseyside giants are adamant that they will not sell Torres even for £60million with the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona all tracking "El Nino."

Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic is expected to be the first Liverpool signing in the summer with a deal already agreed to bring in the Standard Liege striker on a free transfer.