The Spanish goal ace scored a hat-trick to end Boro's hopes at Anfield last season, and Southgate is hoping that his players have learned from the experience.

He said: "I have first hand experience of Torres because I played against him in a friendly at the Riverside a few years back.

"I knew then that he was a very difficult opponent and he has since gone on to prove himself a special goalscorer in the Premier League with Liverpool.

"He scores different types of goals but the one he scored at Sunderland last week was familiar.

"It was a carbon copy of two of the goals he scored against us at Anfield last season.

"We know he can score from any angle and so we have to try to stop him from shooting.

"We took the lead last season but then saw Torres' shooting ability at first hand, though we gifted two of the goals.

"We defended well against Spurs last week and now we have to step up on that performance and concentrate fully because we know what players like Torres and Steven Gerrard can do if you give them the opportunity."

Southgate has added former Arsenal defender Justin Hoyte to his squad, but will be tempted to stick with the back four who helped Boro get their season off to a good start with victory against Spurs last week.

Skipper Emanuel Pogatetz, who scored for Austria in their 2-2 draw with Italy on Wednesday, will return to link up with German international Robert Huth in the middle, while England Under-21 internationals David Wheater and Andrew Taylor are expected to continue on the flanks.

Southgate said: "Spurs probably had most of the possession in the opening game last week but we defended very well.

"We have international class defenders. Quality defending always has to be the foundation if you want to win any game.

"The win against Spurs has given the players the belief that they can achieve things if they continue to do what we have been telling them all summer.

"With a belief like this we will go to Anfield to play without fear and we will focus on what we have to do.

"If we can keep things tight at the back then we will give ourselves every chance.

"We showed against Spurs that we have got the players to break effectively out of defence and we have got players who can put away chances if we create them."

Behind the Boro back four, Australian international Brad Jones is being given the opportunity to forge a career for himself in the Premier League following the departure of his compatriot Mark Schwarzer to Fulham.

Southgate said: "I was pleased with Brad last week. He started as we want him to go on.

"He is 26 now and he has waited a long time for his chance, but he has played in big matches before and he has played at Anfield.

"We know he has talent and that is why he is in the team, but we have said to both him and our other keeper Ross Turnbull that the battle for the first team place will go on all season. Ross has to be ready if anything happens to Brad."

ends