Liverpool's dynamic duo of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are fast being accepted as the world's best goalscoring double act.

Posted Tuesday, September 29, 2009 by PA

Liverpool have recorded six successive victories in all competitions ahead of Tuesday's clash with Fiorentina in the Champions League.

Fiorentina moved into fourth spot in Serie A on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Livorno, while Liverpool thrashed Hull 6-1 with a hat-trick from Torres and one from Gerrard.

The pair arrived in Tuscany with their own mutual admiration in full flow, both claiming the other is "the best in the world".

And the statistics seem to bear them out.

Torres has scored 58 goals in 92 Liverpool games since his debut in August 2007, while Gerrard has 123 in 492.

But the true mark of their quality and chemistry comes from the 77 games the pair have played together, when they have plundered 86 goals between them - Gerrard with 39 and Torres 47.

Gerrard said: "I wouldn't swap Fernando for any other striker in the world, he's the best."

And Torres added: "If you play alongside someone like Stevie, who is the best in the world, it can only help you. He is a great passer and can score goals."

Fiorentina will also be aware the pair have a pretty impressive Champions League record.

In the 15 Champions League games they have played together, they have scored 15 goals.

Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli admits he is "nervous" to be facing an in-form Liverpool and believes his team will need some good fortune if they are to stop a rampant Torres in his tracks.

"How do you stop him? You must concentrate all the time, and be very lucky because he is so good," he said.

"We have watched the last three Liverpool games on DVD and we know what a difficult task we face.

"Liverpool are very strong, very talented, but sometimes they are unpredictable. They are a great side, but even great sides give you opportunities."

Prandelli, who became the first Fiorentina coach to take charge of 100 victories for the club when his team beat Livorno on Saturday, has coaxed some good form from his own side so far this term.

They are fourth in Serie A and have lost just two of nine games so far, against Roma in the league and Lyon in the Champions League.

But 52-year-old said: "Liverpool scored six on Saturday and are in very good form, I must admit that when I heard that result it did make me a little more nervous than I was before.

"We have always said that we want to experience the Champions League with enthusiasm, even if that means running a few risks."

Fiorentina will be without Alberto Gilardino after the striker was sent off in the Italian side's 1-0 defeat away to Lyon in their opening Champions League group match earlier in the month.

Gilardino must serve a two-match ban, but midfielder Cristiano Zanetti - signed in the summer from Juventus - returns after a one-match ban.