Suggestions emerged earlier this week that Chelsea believed "some people" at Anfield would consider selling the £26million Spanish striker if the price was right.

And hot on the heels of co-owner Tom Hicks' assurance that Torres was not for sale, manager Benitez emphatically refuted any hope the west Londoners would have of coming up with a big enough bid - around £50million - to persuade Liverpool to sell.

Benitez said: "The situation is very simple - we do not want to sell Fernando Torres.

"If a player does a good job for his team, like Fernando has for us, then it is sometimes easy for people to speculate that he might be wanted by other clubs.

"I am not aware of any offer being made by Chelsea but even if there was my answer would be the same - he is not for sale.

"We are trying to add to the spine of our team and that means keeping players like Fernando, Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher."

Torres is settled on Merseyside following his debut season at Anfield, in which he scored 33 goals in all competitions.

On numerous occasions the 24-year-old has spoken glowingly of his relationship with the Liverpool fans and with the city itself.

Currently in Spain ahead of Euro 2008, Torres has already moved to distance himself from the speculation surrounding him by insisting he has no plans to quit the club he joined last summer.

He said: "I am enjoying my time at Liverpool, although I would prefer to forget the transfer talk for now and concentrate on Euro 2008, which is my primary concern at the moment.

"I will go away on holiday once the tournament has finished and will then return to Liverpool."

Hicks has also spoken out against the rumours, describing them as "ludicrous."

A spokesman for the Texan said: "It is simply beyond comprehension. There is no circumstance in which Torres will be sold.

"Why would the owners invest so much money in supporting the manager, to then undermine that support? It is ludicrous."