Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez will be back in the Barclays Premier League frontline at the weekend armed with an array of riches.

Benitez, whose side are unbeaten in 11 matches, will take charge at Stoke on Saturday evening and relieve assistant Sammy Lee of his touchline responsibility for the team.

The Reds boss, who has recovered from recent kidney stone surgery, will have star striker Fernando Torres ready to return to the starting line-up for the first time since being struck down with another hamstring injury in November.

Hard-working forward Dirk Kuyt will also be back after being rested at Preston for last weekend’s FA Cup win, while Argentina captain Javier Mascherano has been declared fit following an ankle injury.

There is even an outside chance that Xabi Alonso could have recovered from the foot injury which required seven stitches after the Preston victory, however he is more likely to return on January 19 for the first of the two upcoming derby clashes with Everton.

Benitez said: "Xabi trained yesterday but the problem is he had seven stitches so clearly it depends if he can put boots on and kick the ball.

"For running and training he is okay but we have to decide at the end of the week about his boots. If he can kick a ball he could be available for Stoke but we will have to wait and see."

With Kuyt insisting Liverpool are "going to get better and better", Benitez has challenged Fabio Aurelio and Andreas Dossena to keep 19-year-old Emiliano Insua out of the side.

Impressive young left-back Insua is currently on international duty with the Argentina Under-20 side in the South American championships, and is expected to be away until February 8.

Benitez said: "Emiliano has been really good for us and has been doing well and I know people are saying we are losing something with him going away.

"But we have a lot of confidence in Fabio and Andrea and both players can now compete for the position."

Benitez does have a worry over right-back Alvaro Arbeloa who is expected to again miss out with a hamstring problem.

The Liverpool boss said: "Arbeloa is improving but I think he will need another week. Hopefully next week he can train normally again." Arbeloa’s continued absence means Jamie Carragher is likely to continue at right-back, with Benitez having the choice of Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel and Sami Hyypia in central defence.