Play me AND Torres up front... we'll blast Chelsea back into the Champions League, insists Ba

Demba Ba has told Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez that he and Fernando Torres are ready to start up front together in Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash against Liverpool.

Benitez has rotated the two strikers in a 4-2-3-1 formation since Ba joined from Newcastle in January but the pair combined effectively in the second half of last weekend's 2-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City.

Benitez faces a selection dilemma with Torres desperate to start at his former club and Ba's form in front of goal making him hard to ignore - but the Senegal star insists they can play together.



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Partners in crime? Demba Ba (left) has said he wants to play with Fernando Torres up front for Chelsea

He told the Evening Standard: 'When he came on the pitch against City he helped me a lot. We caused them problems so I think we could play together. 'We combined against Brentford earlier in the competition, too, so I don’t believe it would be a problem for us. Most of the time we have to fight against the two central defenders on our own. If you have an extra body there, it makes it easier. 'This is also very important in football, to be able to control the game. I would understand if Fernando wants to start against Liverpool. We’re not making the decision but I would understand if he does.

One or the other: Ba (left) has rarely played with Torres, the two usually used as like-for-like replacements

Meanwhile, Benitez insists he is focused only on the immediate future and not his past with Liverpool as he prepares to take his Chelsea side to Anfield.

In a press conference on Friday the Spaniard declined to assess Liverpool since his departure in June 2010 or to talk about events at Anfield ahead of his first return as an opposing manager.

'I have a lot of respect, but I have to concentrate on my team,' Benitez said.

'I don't want any misunderstanding, so I will concentrate just on Chelsea and the game and try to enjoy it, especially if we can win.'

Job at hand: Rafa Benitez insists he is only focused on Chelsea ahead of his return to Liverpool

Benitez is expected to receive a warm welcome in the week which marked both his 53rd birthday and the 24th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

He spent six years at Anfield, helping Liverpool to the 2005 Champions League in his first season, the FA Cup, the Community Shield and European Super Cup, while they finished second in the Premier League in 2008-09.

His family home remains on Merseyside and he supports the campaigners in their fight for justice for the 96 supporters killed at Hillsborough in 1989.

His is a lasting bond with Liverpool but Benitez's aim is to defeat his former club.

'I'm a professional and I am committed with Chelsea until the end of the season, to win, to achieve our targets,' said Benitez, who is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Flying the flag: Benitez is still a hugely popular figure at Anfield, having won them the Champions League in 2005

'I was there for six years, winning a lot of things together.

'They (Liverpool supporters) will appreciate that, but at the same time they will try to support their team and they will understand that I have to try to do my best and win.'

Benitez recently was quoted as saying he wanted to return 'home' to Liverpool and that his wish was to move to a top club, possibly in England next season.

That was interpreted by some as a possible return to Liverpool, but Benitez meant his family home.

For reasons of clarity, the Spaniard declined the opportunity to appraise Anfield incumbent Brendan Rodgers.

'I have a lot of respect for Liverpool Football Club and all their managers,' he said.